Description
ADR orientation arrows — legal basis for use
The ADR Orientation arrows label is a marking used in the transport of dangerous goods when the regulations require the correct orientation of a package to be indicated. Its purpose is to show which side of the package must remain upright in order to reduce the risk of leakage, loss of tightness, incorrect positioning of inner packagings or damage to the contents.
Requirements for orientation arrows are described in ADR section 5.2.1.10. According to these rules, the marking is used on packages for which maintaining the correct orientation is important for transport safety. This applies mainly to combination packagings with inner packagings containing liquid substances, single packagings fitted with vents, cryogenic receptacles intended for refrigerated liquefied gases, and machinery or apparatus containing liquid dangerous goods when the liquid must remain in a specific position.
Orientation arrows must be applied to two opposite vertical sides of the package, with the arrowheads pointing upwards. The marking should be rectangular and large enough to be clearly visible in relation to the size of the package. Two black or red arrows should appear on a white or other suitably contrasting background. A rectangular border around the arrows is permitted, but is not always required.
ADR also identifies cases where orientation arrows are not required. These include, among others, certain outer packagings containing pressure receptacles, specific small inner packagings with absorbent material, some infectious substances of Class 6.2, certain packages containing radioactive material of Class 7, articles that are leakproof in all orientations, and hermetically sealed inner packagings of limited capacity.
No other arrows that could be mistakenly understood as package orientation marks should be placed on packages marked in accordance with the requirements for orientation arrows. The choice of marking should always be verified against the classification of the goods, packing instruction, safety data sheet, type of packaging and current ADR requirements. In case of doubt, consultation with an ADR dangerous goods adviser is recommended.
Where and how to use ADR Orientation arrows labels
The ADR Orientation arrows 100 × 76 mm labels should be used on packages that must remain in a specific position during transport. This most often applies to shipments containing liquids, combination packagings, cartons with bottles or inner containers, containers with closures facing upwards, vented packagings, cryogenic receptacles and machinery or apparatus containing liquid dangerous goods.
The marking helps warehouse staff, drivers, logistics operators, freight forwarders, packing department employees and people responsible for handling to position the package correctly. It is particularly useful where incorrect rotation of the shipment could cause leakage, damage to the closure, liquid moving into an unsuitable part of the package or disruption of internal securing.
The labels should be applied to two opposite vertical sides of the package so that both pairs of arrows are clearly visible. The arrowheads must indicate the correct “up” direction. The marking should not be applied to the top or bottom surface of the package, or in a location that may be covered by tape, stretch film, waybill, courier label, transport document, pallet edge or other markings.
Before applying the label, make sure the packaging surface is clean, dry, free from grease and as smooth as possible. This is especially important for coated cartons, plastic containers, industrial packaging, crates, drums, canisters and multilayer packaging. The label should adhere across its entire surface, without folds, air bubbles or damage to the print.
Before shipment, it is worth checking:
- whether the specific type of packaging requires orientation arrows,
- whether the arrows have been applied to two opposite vertical sides,
- whether the arrowheads point upwards,
- whether the marking is legible and not covered,
- whether there are no other arrows on the package that could be misleading,
- whether the labels have not been covered by tape, film or transport documents,
- whether the marking will remain visible after palletising, order picking and securing the shipment,
- whether all other ADR hazard labels, UN numbers and required transport documents match the classification of the goods.
Orientation arrows are particularly important for shipments containing liquid substances, chemicals, technical preparations, cleaning agents, paints, varnishes, industrial additives, laboratory products, goods in combination packagings and materials whose closures must remain facing upwards.
Quality of Print&Stick labels for marking package orientation under ADR
Print&Stick ADR Orientation arrows 100 × 76 mm labels have been designed for clear and durable marking of the correct transport position of packages. The 100 × 76 mm format provides good symbol visibility, while the simple black print on a white background makes it easy to recognise the correct orientation of the shipment quickly.
The labels are made from self-adhesive paper and coated with a durable acrylic adhesive. As a result, they adhere well to typical packaging surfaces such as cardboard, paper, board, boxes, outer packaging, containers and smooth logistics surfaces. UV varnish protection helps protect the print against external factors encountered during storage, order picking and transport.
The roll containing 500 labels allows fast peeling and serial application of the markings in warehouses, packing departments, production plants, laboratories, logistics companies or distribution centres. It is a practical solution for companies that regularly prepare shipments containing dangerous goods and need labels that are convenient for everyday use.
The print is clear, repeatable and designed to maintain good symbol visibility throughout the logistics handling process. Repeatable production helps maintain a consistent appearance of successive label batches, correct contrast, even graphic layout and a neat package marking.
Label production is carried out in accordance with quality and environmental management standards consistent with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. For companies preparing ADR shipments, this means stable product quality, predictable functional properties and the ability to use labels that perform well in regular packing, storage and transport processes.
Print&Stick labels are a practical choice for chemical manufacturers, logistics companies, warehouses, laboratories, export departments, distributors of dangerous substances, industrial plants, e-commerce companies and businesses preparing dangerous goods for road and multimodal transport.
Technical specifications
- Name: Self-adhesive ADR Orientation arrows label
- Marking type: orientation arrows / package orientation mark
- Application standard: ADR, marking of packages requiring correct orientation to be maintained
- Label size: 100 × 76 mm
- Shape: rectangular
- Symbol: two orientation arrows
- Print colour: black
- Background: white
- Material: self-adhesive paper
- Adhesive: durable acrylic adhesive
- Print protection: UV varnish
- Supply format: roll
- Package content: 1 roll = 500 labels
- Package weight: 0.75 kg
- Application: marking the correct position of packages containing dangerous goods
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