Braille takes center stage at Ditone Labels

Specialist supplier to the pharmaceutical sector Ditone Labels is holding a free Braille open day at its Kimbolton, UK, factory on September 12 to promote and discuss the increasing pressures to incorporate Braille into packaging.

The open day will inform and educate people on the reasons Braille should be incorporated into product packaging, introduce the Braille characters, discuss the current European legislation covering Braille and packaging, provide examples of how Braille can be incorporated and illustrate successful projects from organizations already using Braille to good effect.

The day will include a presentation from pharmaceutical consultant Tony Harper (UK principal expert and chairman of BSI Braille Panel PKW/0-02-F3) who will discuss developments in the market place in terms of formalizing the standard of Braille in packaging. A representative from Boots will also talk about their commercial plans regarding this important subject.

John Haworth, Ditone Labels sales manager and member of the British Standards Institute’s Braille Advisory Committee, said, ‘It is important for companies operating in a variety of market sectors to understand about Braille. Braille has been mandatory on new pharmaceutical products since October 2005 but there is also a requirement for all existing licensed pharmaceutical products to incorporate Braille by November 2010.’

Ditone has seen an increase in demand for Braille products – and not just from the pharmaceutical sector. John Haworth continues, ‘We are seeing interest from companies producing health and veterinary products and also some suppliers to the fmcg sector have been approaching us.’

To book a place on the open day email John Haworth (john.haworth@ditone.co.uk).