WHAT ARE: Chemicals
Because chemicals can vary widely in form—liquid or solid, odorless or strong-smelling, colorless or colored—and may present serious hazards, they must carry perfectly legible identification throughout their entire lifecycle.
The Importance of Reliable Chemical Labeling
From manufacturing and transportation to storage, use, and recycling, chemicals pose risks to both health and the environment. Proper identification and traceability are essential to ensure maximum safety and to effectively manage any potential hazards.
Containers used for transporting chemical substances—such as drums, barrels, and industrial canisters—are engineered to endure extreme conditions, including:
- High and low temperatures
- Moisture and humidity
- Exposure to solvents
- Smudging and abrasion
- UV radiation
Under these demanding conditions, printed information is continuously stressed. If the print degrades or becomes illegible, it can jeopardize safety and disrupt the entire logistics chain.
For this reason, labels on chemical containers must remain readable from the moment they are applied through the end of the container’s life—up to and including residue disposal and cleaning. Strong resistance to UV exposure is especially important to ensure long-term durability.