5.3 Labels, Manuals, and Regulatory Markings

Labels,Final identification is the last critical step in the assembly process, transforming the completed product into a traceable, compliant, and market-ready unit. The placement and durability of labels, manuals, and regulatory markings giveare electronicsnon-negotiable theirmandates that must satisfy three audiences: the customer (instructions), the installer (identification), and regulatory bodies (safety compliance). Errors in labeling lead directly to regulatory failure, shipment rejection, and loss of warranty traceability.

5.3.1 Regulatory and Traceability Mandates

Compliance markings are mandatory legal identitystatements. and practical voice. They carry theAll data that tieschanges eachper unit to(dynamic compliancedata) requirements,must safetybe expectations,printed from the MES and traceabilityverified.

systems,

A) whileThe alsoRating guiding end users in safePlate and properLegal operation.Identity

Unlike

The decorativeNameplate stickers,(or theseMaster marksLabel) must survivebe solvents,permanently handling,affixed and time without fading or peeling,contain all whileessential, maintaining accuracy across regionsstatic, and SKUs.dynamic Clear placement rules and durable print processes ensure the product is recognized, accepted, and trusted wherever it ships.

5.3.1 Why this matters (one line)

Labels and marks are how your product introduces itself to laws and people—get placement, content, and durability right, or you’ll ship risk and confusion.data:

• Legal

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  5.3.2 What needs a label (and what each must say)

  Label / Doc	Purpose	Typical content (starter set—tune to your spec/region)
  Rating plateIdentity: (unit)	Legal identity & mains data	Brand/manufacturer, model, PN, inputClass symbol (I/II), and SN. Mains Data: Input V/Hz/A or V/⎓ (DC/AC). Regulatory Set:, ClassMarks symbol (I/II), IP rating (if claimed), country of origin,like SN
  Regulatory/compliance	RegionCE/UKCA, approvals	CE/UKCAFCC/IC, RCM, UL/cTUVus, (as required by region). These icons must be the correct size and color. RF IDs: If the product uses modular approval, the exact regulatory wording and IDs must be printed or included in the manual per regional rules. B) Dynamic Data and Barcode Protocol Traceability: The unit FCC/ICSerial Number (SN), must be printed along with the Date/Lot code, and optionally the firmware revision. Network IDs: Unique identifiers such as RCMMAC/IMEI, must be captured and printed. Barcode Mandate: Use KC,DataMatrix BIS,ECC EAC, NOM, WEEE, RoHS/REACH, UL/cTUVus/CB200 or localQR safetyfor mark2D codes. The grade must target
  Safety≥ warnings	Keep users safe	⚠ symbolsC (hot2.0) surface,per electricISO/ANSI shock),verifier. protectiveEnsure eartha symbol,quiet DC/ACzone symbol,of indoor-use-only,≥ altitude/temp1 limitscell ifis required
  Network IDs	Identitymaintained on networks	MAC/IMEI/MEID,all BT/Wi-Fi label, RF exposure notes (if required)
  Traceability	Genealogy	Date/lot code, firmware rev (optional), 2D code tying to MES SN
  Shipping/carton	Logistics	SKU/Variant, UPC/EAN, weight/size, region, orientation, pack date
  Manuals/IFU	User compliance	Safety & install, regulatory statements, language bysides. country of sale

  Small products:Prohibited: whenPlacing exteriorbarcodes spaceunder is tiny, use e-labelingclamps or placeon somehigh-curvature markssurfaces.

inside

5.3.2 aMaterial, cover—butDurability, onlyand ifPlacement theProtocol

standard

Placement allowsmust be precise and the usermaterials canmust access without a tool orwithstand the exteriorproduct's pointsfull toenvironmental where to find it.

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5.3.3 Material & print that survivesrange (UL 969 mindset)mindset

).

A) Material and Print Mandates

• Face stock:Stock:
• •  Polyester (PET) for most chassis (solvent/heat resistant).;
  • Polyimide near hot zones.
  •  Tamper-evident PET is used for warranty seals (if contractcontractually requires)required.
  • Ink: Use Resin Thermal Transfer ribbon or UV inkjet (prohibited is wax ribbon). Overlamination is required in harsh environments (harsh cleaners).
• Adhesive: high-tack acrylic; chooseChoose high-surface-energytack acrylic oradhesive low-surface-energymatched to the surface (e.g., LSE grade tofor matchcertain paint/plastic.plastics).
• Ink/Ribbon: resin thermal transfer (not wax) or UV inkjet; add clear overlam in harsh cleaners.
• Durability checks (starter): IPA rub 10× each direction, water rub 10×, edge tape-pull, 70 °C bake 1 h—no smear, lift, or curl.
  

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5.3.4

B) Placement rulesand (useAdhesion a map, not a guess)

Check

• Datums: locateLocate labels to edges/holes;holes (datums) with a tolerance of ± 0.5–5 – 1.0 mm and ≤1° 1˚ skew. Prohibited: skew.
• Visibility: rating/regulatoryPlacing labels must be readable after install; if under a lid, say so on the outside.
• Surface prep: wipe, dry, warm to ≥15–20 °C; 3–5 s squeegee pressure; respect 24 h dwell before harsh handling.
• No-go zones: never bridgeover screw heads, seams, or gasket lands; keep clear of vents and hot sinks.lands.
• Redundancy:Surface Prep: putThe surface must be warm (≥ 15 – 20˚C) and wiped clean. Apply pressure with a SN/2Dsqueegee/roller onfor both3 the– product5 seconds to ensure proper adhesion dwell.
• Durability Checks: Sample labels must pass a 10 x IPA rub and thetape-pull carton;test match(no insmear, MES.lift, or curl).

5.3.3 Documentation and Final Verification

Physical and electronic documentation must match the final product revision and target region.

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A)

5.3.5Document BarcodesControl &and 2D codes (that scanners love)

Feature	Starter spec
Symbology	2D: DataMatrix ECC 200 or QR; 1D: Code 128/ITF-14 (cartons)
Cell size	0.3–0.4 mm (unit) / 0.5–0.8 mm (carton)
Quiet zone	≥ 1 cell on all sides (2 cells better)
Contrast	≥ 35% (dark on light)
Grade target	≥ C (2.0) per ISO/ANSI verifier
Content	SN, SKU, MAC/IMEI (if printed); prefer GS1 AI format when customers scan into ERP

Place so scanners don’t fight curvature, glare, or corners. Never under clamps or boots.

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5.3.6 Region control (one SKU, one truth)

• MES drives content: scan SKU/VariantManuals: →The templatemanual withrevision must match the correctproduct region marks and textrevision showsin up.
• Kitsthe by region (22.3): EU/UK/NA/ANZ etc.MES. labelLanguage sets bagged;must stationbe blocksdefined startby ifthe mismatched.SKU/region.
• LanguagesContent: for manuals match ship-to; some countries require local support address on the rating or manual—bake this into the template.
• RF IDs (FCC/IC/KC/BIS): if your module uses a modular approval, the exact wording and IDsManuals must be printed or in the manual per region rules.

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5.3.7 Manuals & inserts (light but compliant)

• What’s in:include safety, installation, regulatory statements, disposal/WEEE, warranty, contact.
• Form:and booklet, folded sheet, or QR to e-manual plus a quick-start carddisposal (if allowed by customer/regulator)WEEE/RoHS).
• Bagging:Special Marks: manual + accessories in an accessory bay—manual never loose against a bezel.
• Language set: defined by SKU; no guessing at pack.
• Revision control: manual rev ties to product rev in MES; obsolete lots get pulled.
  

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5.3.8 Special marks &Print symbols (don’te.g., decorate—inform)

Symbol/Mark	Meaning / Use
PE (⏚)	Protective, earth terminal
DC (⎓) / AC (∿)	Input type on rating plate
Class II (▢▢)	Double-insulated (no earth)
Hot surface (🔥/ISO)	Surfaces exceeding safe touchSurface
WEEE bin	End-of-life disposal in EU/UK
IP code	Only if design validated to that rating
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi logos	Only with program approval and per brand guidelines

Print these) only when yourthe design and test evidence support them.

B)

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5.3.9Final Verification (fastand but real)

Audit

• Label2D map checkVerification: (datums,The ±mm,2D angle).
• IPA rub / tape-pullbarcode samplemust perbe lot.
• 2Dscanned upon packing. The station must verify: handheld verifierthe grade is ≥ C; and the scan opens the exact SN record in the MES.
• RegulatoryRegion Control: Audit confirms the regulatory set vson SKU:the visual tickproduct (CE/UKCA/FCC/etc.FCC) present/absentis ascorrect required).for the shipped region.
• CartonAcceptance labelsCues:: SKU/UPC/ship-toThe matchrating pickplate list;must orientation/fragilebe graphicsreadable, correct.complete, and aligned with no missing fields or skew
  > 1˚.

Final

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5.3.10 Acceptance cues (quick table)Checklist

AreaMandate	AcceptCriteria	RejectVerification Action
Regulatory Set	RatingAll platerequired icons (CE, UL, FCC) present; final SN/MAC printed.	Complete,MES readable,verifies aligned	Missingtemplate fields,matches tinySKU/Variant font,for skewthe >1°target region.
Durability	RegulatoryLabels setpass 10 x IPA rub and tape-pull test (no smear/lift).	CorrectMaterial for(PET/Polyimide) region	Wrong/extraand marks;Resin missingInk requiredverified; textapplied with roller pressure.
Placement	DurabilityDatums aligned within ± 1.0 mm; label does not cover seams/vents.	PassSurface IPA/tapecleaned tests	Smear,and lift,warmed edge(≥ curl15˚C) for proper adhesion.
2D/Barcode	Grade ≥ C, scans first try	Low contrast, clipped quiet zone
Placement	Per map ±0.5–1.0 mm	Over vents/seams, covers screws
Manuals	Right languages, right rev	Wrong region, obsolete rev, missing

(Font height guidance: aim ≥ 2.0–2.5 mm for key text unless the standard says otherwise.)

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5.3.11 Common traps → smallest reliable fix

TrapTraceability	Symptom	First2D move
Pink anti-static bag used as “shield”	ESD damage claims	Use metal-in shielding bagbarcode (26.2),scanned keepand pinkverified onlyGrade inside
Localized≥ solventsC; underSN labels	Edgelinked curlto later	Edge-wipeMES only; allow 24 h dwell; add overlam in harsh cleaners
Freestyle regulatory pickrecord.	Audit failconfirms	Scan-to-templateSN; region kits; block start on mismatchthe product matches SN on the carton/MES.
Security	TinyTamper-evident 2Dseals onused texturedonly paintwhere contractually required.	ScanLabels fails	Increaseare cellnot size;placed moveover toscrew smootherheads area;unless addmandated whitefor underprintwarranty.
Documentation	WrongManual adhesiverevision forand LSElanguage plasticsset match product revision and region.	LabelPackaging fallsinstruction off	Specifymandates LSEinclusion adhesiveof orall primer; cross-hatch surface if allowed
Unit SN ≠ Carton SN	RMA chaos	MES prints both from one record; verify at pack
Warranty void seals everywhere	Angry customers	Only where contract requires; use clear wording & locationdocumentation.

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5.3.12 Pocket checklists

Design & setup

• Rating/regulatory template per SKU/region approved
• Material stack chosen (PET/polyimide, adhesive, ribbon/ink, overlam)
• 2D cell size/quiet zone sized for surface; verifier on bench
• Manual set by region; rev tied to product

At the station

• Surface cleaned & warm; apply with roller 3–5 s
• Position to ±0.5–1.0 mm; no seams/vents under label
• 2D scans to this unit’s SN; grade ≥ C
• Regulatory set matches SKU/region; safety symbols correct

Pack cell

• Carton labels (SKU/UPC) match pick; orientation marks applied
• Manual(s) + accessories bagged in bay; not loose
• Photo (if customer wants) bound to SN; ship docs printed
  

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By standardizing templates, matching materials to surfaces, and verifying placement and readability, labeling and documentation become a reliable extension of manufacturing quality. The result is a product that is not only compliant but also consistent, reducing audit risks and customer confusion while streamlining logistics.