ISO 7010 Safety Sign Standards: The Complete 2026 Guide

For a full overview of legal requirements, see our core guide on Fire Safety Signs: A Complete Guide.

ISO 7010 is the international gold standard for safety symbols. In a globalised workforce, these symbols provide a "language-free" safety system that transcends borders. As of 2026, the UK has fully integrated the BS EN ISO 7010:2020+A8:2024 amendments, making it essential for dutyholders to understand the latest pictograms.

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What is ISO 7010:2020+A8?

ISO 7010 specifies safety signs for the purposes of accident prevention, fire protection, health hazard information, and emergency evacuation. The original 2011 standard was significantly overhauled in 2019/2020, and since then, eight distinct amendments (A1 through A8) have been added to keep pace with modern technology and emerging risks.

The Evolution of Amendments (A1-A8)

The continuous update cycle ensures that as new hazards emerge (like Lithium-ion battery fires or viral pandemics), the standard provides a unified symbol for them.

• A1-A3 (2020-2022): Focused on water safety, evacuation mattresses, and person overboard call points.
• A4-A6 (2023): Introduced symbols for large-scale fire zones, tornado zones, and evacuation lifts for people unable to use stairs.
• A7-A8 (2024-2025): The most recent updates, becoming mandatory for new installations in 2025/2026.

Latest Symbol Additions for 2025/2026

If you are auditing your premises in 2026, ensure you are familiar with these newly standardised pictograms:

1. Heat and Steam Hazards: Specific warning triangles for "Hot Content" and "Hot Steam" to prevent thermal injuries in industrial kitchens and manufacturing.
2. Optical Hazards: "Do not stare at light source" (used for high-intensity LEDs and laser environments).
3. Hygiene Control: "Disinfect your hands" and "Disinfect surface"—standardised symbols born from global health requirements.
4. Evacuation Assistance: Refined symbols for evacuation chairs and lifts specifically for vulnerable persons.

Standard Categories and Design Principles

ISO 7010 categorises signs by their purpose, using a strict colour-and-shape hierarchy established in ISO 3864-1.

1. prohibition Signs (Type P)

Purpose: To forbid actions that likely cause danger.

• Shape: Circle with a 45-degree diagonal bar.
• Colours: White background, red border/bar, black symbol.
• Standard Symbols: P001 (General prohibition, P003 (no smoking, P010 (Do not touch).

2. warning Signs (Type W)

Purpose: To alert people to specific hazards.

• Shape: Equilateral triangle with rounded corners.
• Colours: Yellow background, black border, black symbol.
• Standard Symbols: W001 (General warning, W012 (Electricity), W071 (Hot surface).

3. Mandatory Signs (Type M)

Purpose: To indicate specific actions that must be taken (usually PPE).

• Shape: Circle.
• Colours: Blue background, white symbol.
• Standard Symbols: M001 (General mandatory), M004 (Eye protection), M009 (Safety boots).

4. safe condition Signs (Type E)

Purpose: To indicate escape routes, first aid, and safety equipment.

• Shape: Rectangle or square.
• Colours: Green background, white symbol.
• Standard Symbols: E001 (emergency exit - left hand), E003 (first aid, E017 (Rescue window).

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5. Fire Equipment Signs (Type F)

Purpose: To locate and identify fire-fighting equipment.

• Shape: Rectangle or square.
• Colours: Red background, white symbol.
• Standard Symbols: F001 (fire extinguisher, F002 (Fire hose reel), F006 (Fire telegraph/alarm).

UK Implementation: ISO 7010 vs BS 5499

A common point of confusion in the UK is the relationship between ISO 7010 and the older BS 5499 series.

• Current Status: ISO 7010 is the primary standard for the symbols themselves.
• Guidance Status: BS 5499-4 and BS 5499-10 remain active as Codes of Practice. They provide the "how-to" for placement, viewing distances, and lighting, while referencing ISO 7010 symbols.
• The Golden Rule: Do not mix standards within a single building. If you are updating, update the entire facility to ISO 7010 pictograms.

Technical Specifications: Size and Visibility

Under the latest guidance, a sign's effectiveness is mathematically linked to its viewing distance (D).

The Viewing Distance Formula

The minimum height (h) of a safety sign can be calculated as: h = D / Z

Where Z is the distance factor:

• Z = 60 for externally illuminated signs.
• Z = 120 for internally illuminated (light box) signs.
• Z = 200 for high-contrast, well-lit environments.

Compliance and Legal Liability

Failing to use ISO 7010 compliant symbols can lead to several risks:

• HSE Enforcement: Failure to meet the Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996.
• Insurance Issues: Insurers may deny claims if non-standard signage contributed to an accident.
• Corporate Manslaughter: In extreme cases, proof of "negligent signage" can support serious criminal charges.

Conclusion

ISO 7010 is a living standard. By 2026, the A1-A8 amendments have introduced critical nuances for industrial and residential safety. Auditing your signage against these latest standards isn't just a matter of aesthetics—it's a fundamental duty of care for every UK business.

For advice on sourcing the latest ISO 7010:2020+A8 compliant signs, browse our categories or consult with our experts.

For full regulatory compliance data, download our Technical Data Sheets for Mandatory Signs.

Further Reading

Expand your knowledge on related safety topics:

• UK Safety Sign Regulations: Comprehensive Guide 2026
• Safety Sign Materials Explained: Complete Comparison Guide

Related Product Categories

Explore more specialized safety solutions:

• Warning Signs
• Prohibition Signs
• Safe Condition Signs

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Continue your journey by exploring our detailed guide on Mandatory Signs (Blue Circle Signs): PPE and Action Requirements.