What is BS EN 15178 – Elements for identification of products in emergency enquiries about?
BS EN 15178 should be understood as a possible component in trying to make improvements in product safety.
BS EN 15178 specifies requirements for an area on the packaging – the product identification field – marked by a symbol, where clear product identification element(s) is (are) present.
BS EN 15178 applies to products that are the subject of emergency enquiries to the poison information centres.
Note: BS EN 15178 does not apply to medicinal products (human and veterinary drugs) (see [2], [3]) and medical devices (see [4], [5]), as information requirements are already covered.
Who is BS EN 15178 – Elements for identification of products in emergency enquiries for?
BS EN 15178 on elements for the identification in emergency enquiries is relevant to:
- Local authorities
- Poison information centres
- Safety product manufacturers
- Accident and disaster control bodies
- Regulatory bodies
Why should you use BS EN 15178 – Elements for identification of products in emergency enquiries?
After an accident or inappropriate use of products such as intake by ingestion, inhalation, aspiration or skin contact, the poison information centres give immediate information about any potential danger and make suggestions regarding treatment.
To give the best advice, poison information centres need to be able to identify unambiguously products that have been involved by accident or inappropriate use. However, in practice product, packaging contains a lot of information which can complicate clear product identification.
BS EN 15178 improves product identification by introducing a product identification field on the packaging, marked by a symbol, and where atleast one clear identification element is present. Provided that the packaging of the relevant product is still available to the caller after an accident or inappropriate use, the identification element(s) can help the poison information centres to identify quickly the exact product.
With the product information available in a structured – preferably electronic – form, the poison information centres can give adequate advice for treatment.
