5.3 Labels, Manuals & Regulatory Markings

Placement, compliance, and durability.

Labels and manuals are the product’s public ID and passport—how it introduces itself to people and to the law. They link what was built on the line to what regulators expect, turning serial numbers and ratings into clear, durable information that survives handling and cleaners. Region marks like CE (EU conformity), FCC (U.S. radio compliance), and UL (safety certification) aren’t decoration; they’re promises that must be placed correctly and printed to last. Good materials (e.g., PET film with the right adhesive) and scannable 2D codes (DataMatrix/QR tied to MES—manufacturing execution system) make those promises traceable. Get this right, and shipments clear smoothly, users find what they need, and the product speaks a single, consistent truth from carton to field.

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.

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 plate (unit)	Legal identity & mains data	Brand/manufacturer, model, PN, input V/Hz/A or V/⎓, Class symbol (I/II), IP rating (if claimed), country of origin, SN
Regulatory/compliance	Region approvals	CE/UKCA, FCC/IC, RCM, KC, BIS, EAC, NOM, WEEE, RoHS/REACH, UL/cTUVus/CB or local safety mark
Safety warnings	Keep users safe	⚠ symbols (hot surface, electric shock), protective earth symbol, DC/AC symbol, indoor-use-only, altitude/temp limits if required
Network IDs	Identity on networks	MAC/IMEI/MEID, 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 by country of sale

Small products: when exterior space is tiny, use e-labeling or place some marks inside a cover—but only if the standard allows and the user can access without a tool or the exterior points to where to find it.

5.3.3 Material & print that survives (UL 969 mindset)

Face stock:
- Polyester (PET) for most chassis (solvent/heat resistant).
- Polyimide near hot zones.
- Tamper-evident PET for warranty seals (if contract requires).
Adhesive: high-tack acrylic; choose high-surface-energy or low-surface-energy grade to match paint/plastic.
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.

5.3.4 Placement rules (use a map, not a guess)

Datums: locate to edges/holes; tolerance ±0.5–1.0 mm and ≤1° skew.
Visibility: rating/regulatory 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 bridge screw heads, seams, or gasket lands; keep clear of vents and hot sinks.
Redundancy: put SN/2D on both the product and the carton; match in MES.

5.3.5 Barcodes & 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.

5.3.6 Region control (one SKU, one truth)

MES drives content: scan SKU/Variant → template with the correct region marks and text shows up.
Kits by region (22.3): EU/UK/NA/ANZ etc. label sets bagged; station blocks start if mismatched.
Languages 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 IDs must be printed or in the manual per region rules.

5.3.7 Manuals & inserts (light but compliant)

What’s in: safety, installation, regulatory statements, disposal/WEEE, warranty, contact.
Form: booklet, folded sheet, or QR to e-manual plus a quick-start card (if allowed by customer/regulator).
Bagging: 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.

5.3.8 Special marks & symbols (don’t 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 touch
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 your design and test evidence support them.

5.3.9 Verification (fast but real)

Label map check (datums, ±mm, angle).
IPA rub / tape-pull sample per lot.
2D verify: handheld verifier grade ≥ C; scan opens the exact SN record in MES.
Regulatory set vs SKU: visual tick (CE/UKCA/FCC/etc. present/absent as required).
Carton labels: SKU/UPC/ship-to match pick list; orientation/fragile graphics correct.

5.3.10 Acceptance cues (quick table)

Area	Accept	Reject
Rating plate	Complete, readable, aligned	Missing fields, tiny font, skew >1°
Regulatory set	Correct for region	Wrong/extra marks; missing required text
Durability	Pass IPA/tape tests	Smear, lift, edge curl
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.)

5.3.11 Common traps → smallest reliable fix

Trap	Symptom	First move
Pink anti-static bag used as “shield”	ESD damage claims	Use metal-in shielding bag (26.2), keep pink only inside
Localized solvents under labels	Edge curl later	Edge-wipe only; allow 24 h dwell; add overlam in harsh cleaners
Freestyle regulatory pick	Audit fail	Scan-to-template; region kits; block start on mismatch
Tiny 2D on textured paint	Scan fails	Increase cell size; move to smoother area; add white underprint
Wrong adhesive for LSE plastics	Label falls off	Specify LSE adhesive or 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 & location

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

Bottom line: drive labels and manuals from one controlled template per SKU, place them by a map, print with durable materials, and verify readability + region before the box closes. Do that, and your product speaks clearly—to users, scanners, and auditors—throughout its life.