OKI Systems UK receives further GHS accreditation

OKI Systems UK has had further printers from its portfolio awarded the BS5609 (section 3) standard after laboratory testing by Smithers PIRA, building on the supplier’s existing BS5609-compliant offering to the UK market.

OKI Systems UK has had further printers from its portfolio awarded the BS5609 (section 3) standard after laboratory testing by Smithers PIRA, building on the supplier’s existing BS5609-compliant offering to the UK market

GHS requires chemical label symbols (called pictograms) to be printed enclosed in a red diamond shape. This means that all current monochrome labeling systems will need to be upgraded to full color.

OKI printers that have recently passed tests for BS5609 certificates are C931, ES9431, ES9541, C9655, ES3640a3, ES3640e and ES3640Pro. These join the C610, C711, ES6410 and ES7411 in being BS5609 approved.

Dave Willcox, business development manager at OKI Systems UK, said: ‘This standard is essential for the chemical industry to ensure that labels meet European directives and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) laws in time for a globally harmonised system (GHS). This becomes mandatory worldwide in July 2015 for labels on all chemical preparations and mixtures as well as pure chemicals.

‘This compliance further strengthens OKI’s position as a leading supplier chemical industry.’

Earlier this year, OKI Systems UK urged chemical manufacturers and downstream users not to put off compliance with GHS regulations for chemical labeling until just before the deadline in 2015.

Willcox added: ‘Although there is over six months to go before the deadline, those producing and exporting chemicals need to reassess printing and software requirements and integrate with mainstream business systems, where necessary. With everyone within the industry trying to do the same thing at the same time, some run the risk of failing to comply in time.’