Overview
ISO 7010:2019, "Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs - Registered safety signs," is the international standard that defines standardized safety signs used for accident prevention, fire protection, health-hazard information and emergency evacuation. The third edition (2019, corrected 2020) provides the registered safety sign originals - graphical symbol designs that can be scaled and reproduced consistently across workplaces, public spaces, product labelling and evacuation plans. ISO 7010 is intended for any location where safety information for people is required, while excluding traffic signalling (road, rail, maritime, air) and sectors with differing regulatory requirements.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Standardized graphical symbols: ISO 7010 lists validated graphical symbols (referents) with unique functional reference numbers (e.g., E001 Emergency exit, F001 Fire extinguisher, W019 Crushing).
- Safety colours and shapes: Sign shapes and colours must conform to ISO 3864‑1 design principles; graphical symbol design follows ISO 3864‑3.
- Safety sign originals: The standard supplies originals that can be scaled for reproduction, ensuring visual consistency and legibility.
- Categorization and referents: Signs are organized by referent (safety meaning) and category (mandatory, prohibitory, warning, emergency, fire-fighting).
- Colour matching guidance: For accurate colour reproduction, ISO 3864‑4 provides colourimetric and photometric properties and references to colour order systems.
- Maintenance and accessibility: ISO 7010 is maintained electronically; all registered safety signs are available through the ISO Online Browsing Platform.
Practical applications and users
Who uses ISO 7010:
- Safety managers and EHS professionals implementing workplace signage
- Facility managers and building owners for emergency and evacuation signage
- Product designers and manufacturers for hazard labelling and safety instructions
- Fire protection and emergency planning teams for consistent fire and escape signs
- Standards developers and industry technical committees aligning sector-specific signs
Typical applications:
- Emergency exits, evacuation routes and assembly points
- Fire-fighting equipment identification (extinguishers, hoses, alarms)
- First aid, rescue equipment and emergency telephones
- Prohibition and mandatory action signs in industrial and public environments
- Public safety signs in recreational and maritime contexts (lifejackets, lifebuoys)
Related standards
- ISO 3864‑1: Design principles for safety signs and safety markings (shape & colour)
- ISO 3864‑3: Design principles for graphical symbols for use in safety signs
- ISO 3864‑4: Colourimetric and photometric properties for colour matching
For authoritative copies and the full list of registered safety signs, consult the ISO Online Browsing Platform. Keywords: ISO 7010, safety signs, graphical symbols, safety colours, emergency signage, workplace safety, ISO 3864.
