The Complete Guide to ISO 7010 Safety Signs

If you are responsible for workplace safety, you have almost certainly encountered ISO 7010 — even if you did not know the name. This international standard defines the pictograms, colours, and shapes used on safety signs across Europe and beyond. It is the reason a fire exit sign in Helsinki looks identical to one in Lisbon.

In this guide, we explain what ISO 7010 covers, why it matters for your business, and how to make sure your signage is compliant.

What Is ISO 7010?

ISO 7010 is an international standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It establishes a consistent set of safety sign pictograms that communicate hazards, prohibitions, mandatory actions, emergency information, and safe conditions — without relying on text.

The current version, EN ISO 7010:2020, is harmonised across all EU and EEA member states and replaces older national standards that varied from country to country.

Why Does ISO 7010 Exist?

Before ISO 7010, safety signs differed significantly between countries. A warning sign in Germany might use a different pictogram than the equivalent sign in Italy or Spain. In workplaces with multilingual workforces — warehouses, construction sites, logistics hubs — this created genuine safety risks.

ISO 7010 solves this by providing a single, universally recognised visual language for safety. The pictograms are designed to be understood regardless of the viewer's native language, literacy level, or familiarity with local conventions.

The Five Categories of ISO 7010 Signs

ISO 7010 organises signs into five categories, each with a distinct colour and shape:

Prohibition signs (red circle with diagonal bar) communicate actions that are not permitted, such as "No smoking" (P002) or "No access for unauthorised persons" (P006).

Warning signs (yellow triangle) alert people to potential hazards. Examples include "Warning: electrical hazard" (W012) and "Warning: slippery floor" (W011).

Mandatory signs (blue circle) indicate required actions or behaviours, such as "Wear eye protection" (M004) or "Wear high-visibility clothing" (M027).

Emergency and safe condition signs (green rectangle) show the location of emergency equipment and escape routes, including "Emergency exit" (E001) and "First aid" (E003).

Fire safety signs (red rectangle) identify firefighting equipment such as extinguishers (F001) and fire hose reels (F002).

Who Needs ISO 7010 Compliant Signs?

In short, any European employer. EU Directive 92/58/EEC requires employers to provide safety signs in the workplace wherever hazards cannot be adequately controlled by other means. While the directive does not explicitly mandate ISO 7010, it references the pictogram standards that ISO 7010 now supersedes. In practice, ISO 7010 compliant signs are the accepted way to meet this obligation across the EU.

Industries where compliance is particularly critical include manufacturing, logistics, construction, healthcare, hospitality, and any facility handling hazardous substances.

How to Check If Your Signs Are Compliant

Look for three things: the correct pictogram (matching the ISO 7010 registry), the correct colour coding (as specified above), and the correct shape. Signs that use outdated pictograms, incorrect colours, or non-standard layouts may not meet current requirements.

If your facility was last fitted with signage before 2012 — when many EU countries formally adopted ISO 7010 — it is worth conducting an audit.

Choosing the Right Material

ISO 7010 specifies the visual design, not the material. The right material depends on where the sign will be installed. Aluminium is ideal for outdoor and industrial environments. PVC is lightweight and cost-effective for indoor use. Self-adhesive vinyl works well on smooth surfaces like doors and machinery. Photoluminescent signs are required in certain emergency applications where visibility during power failures is essential.

We cover material selection in detail in our guide: Aluminium vs PVC vs Adhesive Signs: Which Material Should You Choose?

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Browse our full range of ISO 7010 compliant safety signs — mandatory signs, warning signs, prohibition signs, evacuation signs, and fire protection signs — available in four materials with free EU delivery.