How often, when buying a product, we see strange icons on the packaging. In most cases, understanding them is almost impossible. But these signs on the boxes carry some important information. It must be communicated to loaders and carriers of goods so that they know how to handle the goods. All these symbols conceal completely certain information that is inaccessible to a simple layman. But if you know their decoding, then the signs on the packaging can tell very interesting and necessary information about the properties of the goods, the conditions of their storage, processing or use, temperature restrictions, the degree of environmental friendliness or organicity and much more, which will allow you to properly handle these or those goods .
Classification of signs. What are they like?
Information signs on the packaging have a different name and purpose. Each such symbol contains information in any one area. Manipulation signs give an idea of ââwhat goods are in the package and how to properly transport, store and store them so as not to harm the contents. The markings on the boxes are more extensive and varied and are divided into groups - information and warning. The interpretation of their values ââand the content of the images are approved by GOST. These codes and symbols are applied directly to the packaging boxes, and they are designed to instantly inform interested parties the maximum information about the product. In addition, labels and symbolic labels reveal a lot of useful information about the contents of the box, its quality, as well as safe disposal methods.
In order to better navigate the information that the signs on the packaging box tell us about, it is necessary to study their description and understand the decryption principle. It should be noted that this symbolism is the same all over the world. Knowing what a certain symbol means, you can easily navigate in goods from different countries and not make mistakes in the properties of the goods, staying in any state and even not knowing the language. The signs on the boxes, understandable in all corners of the earth, make it easy to understand how to handle this or that cargo.
In this article we will try to describe in detail the meanings of the most commonly used characters. This will allow you to freely decipher any signs on the boxes to understand the special marking of the cargo.
Marking and decoding of information on packaging
The first step is to illuminate the handling signs - an important part of packaging labeling. These are some symbols that say without words about what the properties of the packaged cargo are, possible ways of its promotion through various lifting terminals, and also warn against careless handling that could harm the contents of the box. These symbols are applied to packaged goods, which run not only in the country, but also during international transport. Since these symbols are international, there is a single decoding of the signs on the box, understandable both in the homeland of the cargo and abroad.
Umbrella symbol. What does it mean and what variations of a given sign can be?
So, we give the decryption of the most used characters. They are approved in the relevant Gosstandart. When you see the âumbrella with dropletsâ sign, you should understand this as a prerequisite to store the tared goods in a dry place, sheltered from the rain.
If a sign is drawn on the package, which shows a schematically open box and the sun's rays shine on top of it, then this means that the cargo should be protected from direct sunlight. There are several variations of this sign - âa box covered by a roof and the sun from aboveâ, âa box under the sunâ, âa roof under the sunâ or simply âa box under the roofâ, but in all cases the cargo should be protected from the sun. True, in the first three cases from direct sunlight, and in the fourth - simply from exposure to the sun.
âBox with a sun and a fanâ
You will see the same figure if necessary to protect the cargo from radiation. Only in this case, instead of the sun, the fan icon will be located above the box and the roof. If an open box with a sun and a fan is painted, then it is necessary to protect this product from solar radiation.
"Glass with a fork." The meaning of this sign and its features
If the label indicates a glass with a fork, this does not indicate the proximity of the food point, but the fact that the packaging contains non-toxic materials that are completely safe for people. Such a sign can often be seen on dishes. The symbol means that it can be used for absolutely any dishes. If this sign is crossed out crosswise, then the label takes on exactly the opposite meaning - it warns of possible harm to the body when food is placed in this container. As a rule, this applies to non-food plastic products.
"Net Weight" and "Gross Weight." What do they mean and how do they differ?
Very important handling signs "net weight" and "gross weight" are found on almost any markings. What is net and gross weight. How do these concepts differ? Net weight is the net weight of the product in the packaging box, excluding the weight of the package. And the gross weight, in turn, reflects the weight of the entire cargo together with the packaging container. How to find out on the package net or gross weight. What is the difference between the signs depicting them? Net weight is indicated by the letter "e", which is placed next to the numbers indicating the weight of the goods. This icon must be affixed to those products whose mass exceeds five grams. For products with a lower weight, the net sign is not put. The âgrossâ sign is a numerical value circled in a rectangular frame, and this symbol is located next to the âeâ sign, that is, net. Often this combination can be observed on products in aerosol containers.
Description of arrow types
A very important aspect when transporting goods is the sign on the box "up arrow". This symbol refers to the warning and warns against overturning the cargo when carrying and transporting. In fact, the âup on the boxâ sign indicates the only possible position of the box and indicates that this load cannot be turned over. In other words, it cannot be turned over and placed on the side faces, carried and transported.
"Wineglass". What does such a symbol mean and when is it used?
In this regard, it should immediately explain what the sign of "glass" on the box. For the sign "do not turn over" or "top" often come across in tandem with a "glass". A separate âglassâ has the decoding âcarefully fragile productâ, and together they show how delicate the cargo is in the package. If âtwo up arrowsâ are indicated on the marking, the cargo can only be transported in a position when this marking is on top.
If both signs are present on the marking, in addition to the unchanged position of the box in space, extreme caution should also be exercised during loading and unloading, as the goods may break. The sign âglassâ or âglassâ is most often placed on a container in which glass products are transported. But sometimes it can be other delicate products from the sphere of precision engineering, microelectronics, art and other areas to which special care must be taken.
What do the signs âThermostat with lower and upper temperatureâ and âCrossed bin crossed out with a crossâ mean?
If the âthermostat with lower and upper temperatureâ symbol is indicated on the marking, then goods marked in this way can only be stored in this temperature range. The âcrossed-out rubbish binâ sign warns that the contents of this box should never be thrown into the trash with other waste, because special conditions are required for its disposal. It is called âspecial disposalâ.
The symbol on the PCT packaging. Description of the mark and its types
Of great interest to consignors and recipients of goods, as well as to those involved in their storage and delivery, loading and transportation, is the Rostest sign. On the package it is marked as "PCT". This sign informs about the condition of the goods in terms of availability and certification. There are three of the same type of PCT with some variations. And each of them designates a separate group of goods.
The traditional Rostest sign affixed to the packaging indicates that the product has been checked for compliance with GOST and certified. If the products are not subject to mandatory certification, but its manufacturer or supplier has chosen to voluntarily be checked for compliance with special standards and has been certified, then the word âvoluntary certificationâ appears on the PCT icon at the top and bottom of the letters. When the goods are not subject to verification and are not certified, four Xs are affixed under this sign.
The Moebius Loop
The âMobius loopâ sign denotes an equilateral triangle formed by three curved arrows. This symbol means that the packaging box is made of recycled materials partially or completely, or can be used for recycling. Often manufacturers specify the percentage of processing.
LOT and RAP. What do these symbols mean?
On foreign goods you can see the inscription LOT in the rectangle. Translated from English, this means "party." This sign tells you how many products went on sale at the same time. The number next to the sign may indicate the date of manufacture, series of release or control number, it depends on the purpose of the goods.
On the labels you can see the PAP sign, which indicates the class of processing and is affixed with a pair of numbers. These numbers indicate the class, as well as the type of material - glass, cardboard, plastic and other materials. If next to the icon there is a digital inscription from 1 to 19, then this standard is set for various plastics:
- 20â39 is for cardboard and paper;
- 40â49 - metals;
- 50â59 - wood;
- 60â69 - fabrics;
- 70â79 - glass.
EXP sign. Description of this symbol and its features
What does the EXP icon mean? Its decoding is simple to the point of banality - these are the initial letters of the English phrase expiration date, translated as âexpiration dateâ. And near this icon some numbers are always affixed, which correspond to the date of the final storage of the goods. Regarding the expiration dates, there are also markers that are used to inform about the expiration dates of a particular product. For example, the expiration date after opening the original packaging of the goods. Most often this applies to various cosmetics. The sign looks like a âjar with an open lidâ, on the case of which an expiration date is given in months. During this period, the product is operational after its depressurization. If there is no expiration date, then the hourglass mark will be present on the marking.
ICEA and "black cross on a yellow background." Description of symbols on boxes
The ICEA mark indicates that the product is bio-friendly, non-GMO and manufactured using traditional technologies.
The sign "black cross on a yellow background" means that this product is harmful to health. It is usually used on packages with various household chemicals and calls for extreme caution with its use.
Little conclusion
Now you know what the different symbols on the packaging mean. There are a great many of such signs; it is impossible to remember them all. In our article we have cited the most important and informative for ordinary people, so that this knowledge can be used in everyday life. To ensure proper storage of goods and be able to use warning signs for their own benefit, it is necessary to correctly interpret special signs on the packaging. With this knowledge, you will be able to use healthy and certified products, as well as to navigate your expiration dates well.