OKI launches fully-compliant GHS chemical labeling system

OKI Europe has unveiled Global Harmonization System (GHS) chemical labeling, a new end-to-end laser technology for short run. It is complete with printer and specialist label media and fully warranted, approved to BS5609 standards. Organizations needing small numbers of a wide range of GHS-compliant labels can now print them in-house, as and when required.

The GHS ensures global consistency of chemical labeling. It also presents a challenge in terms of label stock management for industries such as transportation which need an economic way to print bespoke labels according to each load. With current legislation (CHIP), orange labels are overprinted in black using thermal transfer technologies. However, the new GHS requires labels to be printed in color on a range of sizes from A7 to A4, with anywhere between one and eight pictograms, accompanied by hazard information, which could also need to be in a range of languages dependent on where the chemicals are being shipped.

Dave Willcox, media application manager, OKI explained: ‘Full compliance with GHS is required by 2015 and this is driving the need for a way to print short runs, in color and “on the fly”. The financial impact on those needing large volumes of one type of label is not so marked because of economies of scale. But, until now, organizations where the demand is flexible and varied – for example, where multiple hazards must be transported in a single cargo – have been left with limited options.

‘However, the OKI solution provides an extremely cost-effective way to address this issue. Only the exact number and type of labels can be printed when the need arises.’

To print fully-compliant chemical labels, the media, adhesive and the printed image all have to meet parts 1, 2 and 3 of BS5609. OKI’s total package, which includes a range of approved printers (OKI C610, C711, C910, ES6410, ES7411 or ES9410) combined with OKI label media, have been independently tested and certified by PIRA (the Print Industry Research Association).

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