Safety labels and industry standards: a look at what these common symbols mean

Tired of trying to figure out what different labels mean? We reveal what these five labels mean and why they are important to understand.

When you go shopping, it can be easy to pick up anything without looking at the packaging to try and decipher the many labels that may be present.

But what do these labels mean and should you even care?

In this article, we reveal what these five labels mean and why they are important to look out for.

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BSI Kitemark

You may recognise the BSI Kitemark on a wide selection of products you buy.

The BSI Kitemark confirms that a product or service meets the appropriate British, European, international or other recognised standard for quality, safety, performance and trust.

“If a product carries a BSI Kitemark, customers will know it has been independently tested on a regular basis and that it will perform to that consistent quality every time,” says the BSI site.

Customers should be reassured that when they buy a product with the BSI Kitemark that it has been independently audited and tested.

You may find this quality mark on various products, including windscreens, condoms, security locks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, protective footwear, UK plugs and travel adaptors, as well as LED lightbulbs.

Currently, there are over 2,500 BSI Kitemark licences held by well-known brands such as Chubb Security and Fire Protection, as well as Anglian Home Improvement.

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CE mark

Many products, whether it’s a toy, medical device or electrical equipment, need a CE mark before they can be sold in the European Economic Area (EEA) – the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

In a nutshell, any product with the CE mark proves it has been assessed and meets the safety, health and environmental protection requirements of the European Union.

It is valid for products manufactured both inside and outside the EEA, which are then marketed in the EEA.

Oddly enough, while manufacturers need to ensure product compliance, importers must verify a manufacturer outside the EU has taken the necessary steps to make sure the product is safe.

Distributors also play a role by ensuring products are correctly marked by identifying items that must have the CE mark – and identify those that don’t comply with the regulations.

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Food contact materials

Every day, we use mugs, glasses and bottles to stay hydrated and plates or bowls to enjoy our food, yet we may overlook the safety aspect.

How do we know that when we eat or drink something from a new product that it is safe?

Food contact materials are defined as “all materials and articles intended to come into contact with food” by the European Food Safety Authority.

If you see the above wine glass and fork symbol, you are in safe hands as this reassures you that the product can be brought into contact with food.

Examples of products that are likely to bear this mark include:

• Containers for transporting food;
• Packaging materials;
• Kitchen equipment, cutlery and dishes.

According to the European Commission, the safety of food contact materials is tested by the business operators putting the products in the market, and by authorities of member states.

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Fire labels

When you buy a new sofa or chair, you should have a permanent fire label sewn in or stapled to the item – if you don’t have this, you've no idea if it meets basic safety standards.

You couldn't even donate it to a charity shop if you wanted to get rid of it.

The label essentially confirms the item in question meets UK safety standards under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988.

According to the Fire Safety Advice Centre, the legislation specifies:

• Filling materials must meet specified ignition requirements;
• Upholstery composites must be cigarette resistant;
• Covers must be match resistant (certain exceptions apply);
• A permanent label must be fitted to every item of new furniture at the point of sale (except mattresses, bed bases, pillows, scatter cushions, seat pads and loose covers sold separately from furniture and stretch covers);
• The first supplier of domestic upholstered furniture in the UK must maintain records for five years to prove compliance. 

The label is useful as it means your mattress, mattress pad, divan or bed base has been tested to meet a certain level of resistance to ignition.

The fire safety label may be on any external surface of the item, including underneath removable seating and cushions, advises the British Heart Foundation.

To ensure you’re getting a product that meets UK safety standards, always look for the batch numbers that should be present and legible on all fire labels.

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Portable appliance test (PAT)

Portable appliance testing is a safety precaution to make sure electrical appliances do not cause damage or injury to anyone who uses it.

According to PAT.org, damaged electrical equipment may shock users with voltage, trigger a fire or ignite an explosion in a worst-case scenario if the item is near certain chemicals or fumes.

Many items can undergo PAT testing including:

• Microwaves;
• Lamps;
• Vacuum cleaners;
• Portable fans.

While a PAT is not a legal requirement, insurance companies will expect testing to ensure compliance with certain regulations, says PAT.org.

Where you might see the PAT sticker is at charity shops, including the British Heart Foundation, who makes sure donated electrical items undergo a function test process and PAT to ensure safety.

It can be easy to overlook symbols on products – particularly if it appears that there are a raft of labels – but by understanding what they mean, you can ensure the products you buy are safe to use.