DRAFT UGANDA  STANDARD  
  DUS  2380    
First  Edition  
2021 -mm-dd 
 
 
 Reference number  
DUS 2380 : 2021  
© UNBS 2021   
  
Label material  — Specification  
 
 
 
 DUS 2380 : 2021  
ii © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct appli cation  
© UNBS 2021  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission fro m UNBS.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to  
The Executive Director  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
P.O. Box 6329  
Kampala  
Uganda  
Tel: +256 41 7 333 2 50/1/2 
Fax: +256 41 4 286 123  
E-mail: info@unbs.go.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  DUS 2380 :2021  
© UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
Introduction  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  v 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
4 Construction of a label ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  3 
4.1 Label format  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  3 
4.2 Label components  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 4 
4.2.1  Facestock  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
4.2.2  Adhesive  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  5 
4.2.3  Liner coating  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  6 
4.2.4 Release liner  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  6 
5 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  6 
5.1 Dimensions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  6 
5.2 Workmanship  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  6 
5.3 Freedom from defects  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  6 
5.4 Damage to adjacent papers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  7 
5.5 Odour  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  7 
5.6 Print fastness  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  7 
5.7 Color bleeding and water resistance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 7 
5.8 Abrasion resistance of printed Image  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 7 
5.9 Suitability for declared storage conditions  ................................ ................................ ........................  7 
5.10  Scuff resistance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 7 
6 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
7 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  7 
8 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  8 
Annex  A (Normative)  Assessment of color bleeding and water resistance  ................................ ..............  10 
Principle ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  10 
Annex  B (Normative)  Assessment of adhesive bond strength  ................................ ................................ .. 11 
B.1 Initial bond strength  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  11 
B.1.1  Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  11 
B.1.2  Test and evaluation  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  11 
B.2 Bond Strength after Accelerated Aging  ................................ ................................ ............................  11 
B.2.1  Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  11 
B.2.2  Test and Evaluation  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  11 
Annex  C (informative)  Recommended adhesives for the intended application  ................................ ....... 12 
Annex  D (informative)  Different identification methods  ................................ ................................ ..............  13 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  14 
 
 DUS 2380 : 2021  
iv © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Uganda National Bureau of Standa rds (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade , Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327 , of the Laws of Uganda , as amended .  UNBS is mandated to co -
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for  Standardisation (ISO) ;  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards ; and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT  Agreement  of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of key stakeholders 
including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties.  
Draft Uganda Stan dards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee UNBS /TC 306, Paper and paper 
products.   
 DUS 2380 :2021  
© UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  v 
 Introduction  
Using and ordering label material of different kinds is not an easy task as what to use and how to use it 
depends o n so many things, e.g. type of marking, surface, environment, treatment, information, printing 
technologies, etc.  
Each label application is therefore unique and requires its own combination of ink, top coating, facestock and 
adhesive to serve its purpose. The label is to be seen as a vital and important part (component) of the product 
and there could be multiple labels on one product to serve different needs.  
This document was developed in order to guide the suppliers on basic information to indicate and he lp the 
users select the required labels basing on the indicated information.  
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  DUS 2380 : 2021  
 
© UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  1 
 Label material — Specification  
1 Scope   
This Draft Uganda Standard specifies  requirem ents, sampling and test methods for labels .  
This document applies to adhesive  labels (also  known  as self -adhesive or pressure -sensitive) , stickers, tickets 
and non -adhesive labels.  
2 Normative references   
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes 
requirements of this document . For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
ASTM D 2860, Standard Test Method for Adhesion of Pressure -Sensitive Tape to Fiberboard at 90°  Angle 
and Constant Stress  
ASTM D 5264 , Standard Practice for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materials by the Sutherland Rub Tester  
ISO 11093 -4, Paper and board — Testing of cores — Part 4: Measurement of dimensions  
US ISO 186 , Paper and board — Sampling t o determine average quality  
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp  
3.1  
adhesive  
substance capable of holding materials together by surface attachment  
3.2  
adhesive strength  
sum total of the forces of attachment between a dry film and a substrate  
3.3  
facestock  
paper that is u sed for making self -adhesive labels  
Note 1 to entry: It is called “facestock” because it is the top or “face” of the laminate from which these labels are produce d. 
Note 2 to entry: facestock paper may be laminated to a release liner after the latter has be en coated first with an ultra -thin 
layer of silicon and then with an adhesive.  DUS 2380 : 2021  
2 © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Note 3 to entry: When the ready label is peeled off from the backing paper (=release liner), the adhesive transfers to the 
label because it is easily separated from the release liner because of the “non -stick” silicon.  
3.4  
imprint  
local indentation caused by a foreign matter being pressed into a surface  
3.5  
initial stickiness  
refers to the adhesive strength when a label is first applied, and how easy it is to remove straight aw ay 
3.6  
ink 
pigmented fluid or viscous substance,  which may or may not include colorant, used for writing or printing  
3.7  
label  
sign carrier made from flexible material  
Note 1 to entry: The purpose of a label is to convey the necessary information (text or graphics) to the user.  
Note 2 to entry: Information on other identification methods in relation to labels, such as tag, ticket, tape, mark a nd 
marking, are given in Annex D.3.8  
3.8  
label stock  
carrier which is commonly coated on one side with adhesive  and usually printed on the other side. A label 
stock can be made of polyester (PET) film, vinyl chloride (PVC) film, synthetic paper (combines paper -like and 
plastic -like properties), polypropylene (PP) film, polyethylene (PE) film, polystyrene (PS) film and ABS 
(Acrlnitrile -butadene -styrene) film  
3.9  
mark  
inscription, name, stamp, label, or seal placed on an article to covey information such as  ownership, quality, 
manufacture, or origin  
3.10  
application condition ( temperature ) 
temperature at which the l abel may be applied to the surface of the product, in order for the label material, in 
particular the adhesive, to perform to its given specification and correctly adhere to the product  
3.11  
permanent adhesive  
adhesive used to create labels that cannot be  removed without damaging the label or the surface to which the 
label is applied  
3.12  
pressure -sensitive (adhesive)  
adhesive applied to create a bond between two surfaces by a simple application of pressure  
3.13  
removable adhesive  
adhesive used to create  labels that can be removed cleanly from a surface. However, certain removable 
adhesives can become permanent after a period of time or environmental exposure.  
3.14  
reapplicable  adhesive  
adhesive that allows short -term removability in cases where the labe l needs to be repositioned or reapplied.  DUS  2380 : 202 1 
© UNBS 2021 – All rights  reserved  3 
 3.15 
storage temperature  
recommended temperature (range) at which the label material and/or finished labels should be held before 
usage, in order to retain their specified properties  
3.16  
tag 
identification label a ttached to a container or container -related equipment which, among other things, gives 
the unique owner’s code and serial number and which can be remotely read by electronic sensing devices  
3.17  
tape 
long narrow strip of a flexible material with adhesive used for sealing, binding, tying, etc.  
3.18  
thermal -transfer printing  
system employing donor sheets or ribbons coated with wax based inks or coloured dyes that are transferred 
by heat and pressure produced by thermal print heads to reproduce images onto a  coated substrate using 
thermal wax transfer and thermal dye transfer printing processes/methods  
Note 1 to entry: Other ribbon types are available such as resin and wax/resin, etc.  
3.19  
ticket  
piece of paper, cardboard, etc., showing that the holder is en titled to certain rights, such as travel on a train or 
bus, entry to a place of public entertainment, etc.  
4 Construction of a label  
4.1 Label format  
4.1.1  Non-adhesive labels shall be distributed in either pieces, sheets or rolls  (See Figure 1) .  
 
Figure  1 — Non-adhesive label distributed in roll format  
4.1.2  Self-adhesive labels shall be distributed in either sheet, roll or fan -folded format (See Figure 2). DUS 2380 : 2021  
4 © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 
 
Figure 2 — Labels distributed on sheet, roll or fan -folded  
4.2 Label components  
A label consist s of se veral components (see Figure 3). The label itself c onsists of up to two components;  the 
facestock and adhesive depending on its specification and intended application. The facestock can consist of 
one to four subcomponents . 
NOTE  The object surface is  not part of the actual label but is a label component that may put requirements on the 
other label components so that the label can be used in its intended application.   
 
Figure 3 — Components of a label  
Where;  
1. facestock (film/material)  
a) protective coatin g/over lamination;  
b) ink (if pre -printed);  
c) top coating;  
d) substrate (as defined in  4.2.1.4 ) DUS  2380 : 202 1 
© UNBS 2021 – All rights  reserved  5 
 2. adhesive  
3. liner coating  
4. (release) liner  
4.2.1 Facestock  
The facestock to be used depends on the intended application for instance the label may need to last for the 
lifetime of an item.  
4.2.1.1 Protective coating/over lamination  
A physical protective coating/over lamination can be used when there is need to protect applied (imprinted) 
information/image on a final pre -printed label.  
4.2.1.2 Ink (if pre -printed or direct printing)  
Depending on the print method, the appropriate type of ink needs to be used, e.g. pre -printing using screen 
print requires a fluid ink while thermal -transfer printing requires an ink ribbon.  
4.2.1.3 Top coating  
A physical surface coating can be a pplied to either promote/increase ink adhesion with conventional and 
digital print technologies or modify gloss.  
4.2.1.4 Substrate  
A physical media, e.g. film,paper, polyester, etc,. can be coated, printed or laminated in order to be able to 
provide the ne eded function.  
4.2.2 Adhesive  
The type of adhesive to be used is selected depending on the intended application. Adhesives may be 
permanent, removable or repositionable. Annex C gives a recommendation of the adhesives that best suit an 
intended application . 
4.2.2.1  Initial adhesive bond s trength  
The adhesive shall demonstrate sufficient initial bond strength for the label  to support a test weight of 2 N  for 
10 minutes when determined in accordance with Annex B.1.  
4.2.2.2  Bond s trength after accelerated Agi ng  
The adhesive, once set after the initial 7 -day dwell time, shall remain permanently affixed to both the face -
stock and the substrate with no loss of adhesive strength for the life of the object to which it is applied, under 
conditions of normal use whe n tested in accordance with Annex B.2.  
4.2.2.3  Restricted substances  
Adhesives shall not contain restricted chemicals in levels above the maximum concentration limits , as 
stipulated in regulations . Sunstances of very high concern (SVHCs) include substances such as 
formaldehyde, pthalates, flame retardant s and biocidal products.  DUS 2380 : 2021  
6 © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 4.2.3 Liner coating  
The liner coating (e.g. silicone coating) is part of the release liner and enables the separation of the adhesive 
label from the release liner when applied to a surface.  
4.2.4 Release liner  
The li ner is used to protect and transport labels and to ease release (removing) labels for use. The liner can 
be continuous or perforated depending on which application the actual label is to be used, e.g. print and apply 
using a label applicator or print in de sk top printer and tear off the label for manual application.  
5 Requirements  
5.1 Dimensions  
When tested in accordance with ISO 11093 -4, the label shall meet the dimensional requirements declared on 
the label. A typical shape of labels in roll form is showe d in F igure 4.  
 
Figure 4 — Typical shape of labels in roll form  
5.2 Workmanship  
All edges of each individual label and sheet (for self -adhesive labels) shall be uniformly cut and clean , with 
accurate sizes.  
5.3 Freedom from defects  
5.3.1 The label shall be free from tears, holes, dust, creases and any other visible defects that may impair 
the serviceability of the label  
5.3.2 The label shall be f ree of particles or other impurities such as metals, waxes, plasticizers and residual 
bleach  DUS  2380 : 202 1 
© UNBS 2021 – All rights  reserved  7 
 5.3.3 The self-adhesive label shall not show any sign of curling, lifting, buckling, or puckering, nor any 
evidence of the adhesive oozing beyond the label edges  
5.4 Damage  to adjacent papers  
5.4.1 The printed image on the label shall not rub off, transfer, or otherwise di sfigure the paper placed on  
the label.  
5.4.2 Neither the facestock nor the adhesive (in case of self -adhesive labels) shall cause discoloration, stick 
to, or otherwise cause damage to adjacent pages.  
5.5 Odour  
The label shall not emit odours deemed objecti onable or hazardous to the work environment.  
5.6 Print fastness  
When the label is printed on using the manufacturer’s recommended printing method, it shall be able to accept 
and retain a clean and legible image.  
5.7 Color bleeding and water resistance  
For labels declared to be water resistant, t he color shall show no bleeding when soaked in distilled water for 
48 hours while held under suitable weight in contact with white bond paper.  The label shall be applied to a 
white bond paper suppor t for this test.  
The label shall remain adhered to the paper support during the immersion period.  
5.8 Abrasion resistance of p rinted Image  
The printed image on the label shall be able to resist moderate abrasive forces with minimal smudging of the 
ink when tested in acco rdance to ASTM D 5264  or its equivalent.  
5.9 Suitability for declared storage conditions   
The label stock shall be able to remain adhered to its substrate without lifting, curling, flagging, or peeling 
during long -term exposure in the environment that is d eclared on the label.  
5.10 Scuff r esistance  
The label shall survive a minimum of 500 cycles on a Sutherland Rub machine using a 4  lb weight without any 
scuffing or streaking of inks.  
6 Packaging  
Labels shall be packaged in suitable packages to ensure tha t they shall not be exposed to moisture, dust, dirt 
and other hazards during transportation, handling and storage  
7 Labelling  
The package containing the labels shall be legibly and indelibly marked with the following information:  
a) manufacturer’s name, addre ss and/or trademark;  DUS 2380 : 2021  
8 © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 b) name of the product ( such as  “Self-adhesive label” or “Multipurpose label” or “Pressure -sensitive 
label” or “Sticker” or “Non -adhesive label”);  
c) type of the material   (such as “Paper” , “Film” , “Plastic”, “metal” ); 
d) if self -adhesive, chem ical composition of the adhesive (such as “Acrylic adhesive”);  
e) in case of non -adhesive labels, the recommended adhesive  (where needed)  to be used;  
f) dimensions of the label (such as width, height, radius, thickness and gap between the labels ) 
g)  how the materi al is provided, i.e. sheet, roll or fan -folded format  
h) number of sheets (if label is in sheet form);  
i) number of labels per roll or fan -folded stack  or tube or pack or sheet ; 
j) care instructions during storage;  
k) surfaces on which the label can be applied, such a s plastic, metal, glass, wood, aluminium;  
l) suitable printing method (such as “suitable for inkjet printers”);  
m) if self -adhesive, type of adhesive (i.e. “Permanent” or “Removable” or “Re -applicable”);  
n) storage  (of the labels before application)  and application  conditions i.e. temperature and humidity ; 
o) country of origin; and  
p) month and year of manufacture  
8 Sampling   
 Sampling shall be done in accordance with US ISO 186  DUS  2380 : 202 1 
© UNBS 2021 – All rights  reserved  9 
 DUS 2380 : 2021  
10 © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Annex  A 
(Normative)  
 
Assessment of color bleeding and water resistance  
Principle  
The color s hall show no bleeding when soaked in distilled water for 48 hours whil e held under suitable weight 
(1 N) in contact with white bond paper. The label shall be applied to a white bond paper support for this test 
and shall remain adhered to the paper support during the immersion period.  DUS  2380 : 202 1 
© UNBS 2021 – All rights  reserved  11 
 Annex  B 
(Normative)  
 
Assessment of adhesive bond strength  
B.1 Initial bond strength  
B.1.1  Procedure   
This procedure is a 90 degree peel te st, modified from ASTM D 2860. A set of three labels, size 1 ” x 2.5” is 
applied to each o f two test panels over a m ylar window that permits only a one inch square area of the 
adhesive side of the label to be in contact with the substrate, as illustrated in ASTM D 2860, procedure B.  
The labels are set in place by applying firm pressure with th e edge of a 3M plastic applicator, to the l abels in 
four downward strokes.  The test samples are then allowed to cure for 7 days in an environmental chamber 
conditioned to 23°C and 50% RH.  
B.1.2  Test and evaluation  
At the end of this dwell time a 200 gram weight is suspended from the free end of the label and timed for 10 
minutes.  At the end of this test period, labels shall  not have peeled away from the substrate by more than 10 
millimeters.  
B.2 Bond Strength after Accelerated Aging  
B.2.1  Procedure  
This procedure is a 90 degree peel test, modified from ASTM D 2860.  Test Panels for this test will be the 
same as that used to test initial bond strength.  A set of three labels is app lied to each of the two test p anels in 
the same manner  as described in secti on B.1.1 .The labels are then subjected to accelerated aging at 80°C 
and 50% RH for 28 days.  At the end of the aging period the test samples are placed in an environmental 
chamber conditioned to 23°C and 50% RH for 24 hours.  
B.2.2  Test and Evaluation  
At the end of the conditioning period the peel test is  performed as in section B.1.2 . At the end of this test 
period, labels shall  not have peeled away from the substrate by more than 10 millimeters.  DUS 2380 : 2021  
12 © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Annex  C 
(informative)  
 
Recommended adhesives for the intend ed application  
Table C .1 — Recommended adhesives for the intended application  
Type of 
adhesive  Initial 
stickiness  Final 
stickiness  Standard 
materials  Key features  Typical 
applications  
Peel Low Low Paper, 
Polypropylene 
& Vinyl  Used for situations in which labels 
need to be removed, and has good 
long-term removability  Gift-labels, Food  
Ultra removable  Low Very Low  Paper  Suitable for applications in which 
the removal of the label is critical.  Window labels  
Re-applicable  Low Low Paper  Used for situations in  which labels 
need to be removed and 
repositioned, and has good 
removability  Sticky notes and 
decorative 
purposes  
Freezer  Medium  High Paper  Remains adhered even with 
exposure to freezing temperatures. 
Lower initial stickiness enables 
repositioning of the label  Bottles of wine, 
Food, Garments  
Permanent  High High Paper, 
Polypropylene, 
Vinyl, 
Polyester, 
Polyethylene  This adhesive helps to ensure that 
labels remain adhered in a range of 
environments.  
 Garments, 
Freezer, Wine 
bottles, syringes  
Sustainable  High High Paper and film  Biodegradable adhesives are 
available with several paper 
materials, providing a more eco -
friendly labelling solution  Garments, 
Freezer  DUS  2380 : 202 1 
© UNBS 2021 – All rights  reserved  13 
 Annex  D 
(informative)  
 
Different ide ntification methods  
Almost everything has the capability of b eing marked, by someone marking it, to provide information relevant 
at time of usage, location, etc., to serve a given purpose.  
But depending on its application, different terms could be used for the purpose of providing the information. 
Figure B.1 is an i llustration of  different types of identification methods.  
 
Figure D.1 — Example of different types of identification methods  DUS 2380 : 2021  
14 © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
ISO/TS 18614:2016, Packaging — Label material — Required information for ordering and specifying self -
adhesive labels  
 
 DUS  2380 : 202 1 
© UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  15 
 Certification marking  
Products that conform to Uganda standards may be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and th e Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those licensed under the certification mark scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product  or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods comply with the 
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with the 
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS m arked products are 
continually checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
 
 DUS 2380 : 202 1   
 
ICS 55.040  
Price based on nn pages  
© UNBS 2021– All rights reserved