Symbol Glossary

Gloves, garments and other controlled-environment products often carry standard symbols on the product, box or label. This page explains what each symbol means and which standard defines it. Most come from ISO 15223-1, the international standard for symbols used with medical devices.

SYMBOL GLOSSARY

Symbol	Symbol Name	Description	Standard
	Manufacturer	Indicates the medical device manufacturer	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.1.1
	Authorized Representative in the European Community / European Union	Indicates the authorized representative in the European Community / European Union	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.1.2
	Authorized Representative in Switzerland	Indicates the authorized representative in Switzerland	ISO 20417 Ref. 6.1.2 (d)
	Importer	Indicates the entity importing the medical device into the locale	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.1.8
	Distributor	Indicates the entity distributing the medical device into the locale	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.1.9
	Country of Manufacture	To identify the country of manufacture of products	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.1.11

Identifying the product

Symbol	Symbol Name	Description	Standard
	Date of Manufacture	Indicates the date when the medical device was manufactured	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.1.3
	Use-by Date	Indicates the date after which the medical device is not to be used	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.1.4
	Batch Code	Indicates the manufacturer's batch code so that the batch or lot can be identified. NOTE: Synonyms for “batch code” are “lot number”, “lot code” and “batch number”.	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.1.5
	Unique Device Identifier	Indicates a carrier that contains unique device identifier information	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.7.10
	Medical Device	Indicates the item is a medical device	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.7.7
	Catalogue number	Indicates the manufacturer's catalog number so that the medical device can be identified	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.1.6
	Model Number	Indicates the model number or type number of a product	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.1.10
	Serial Number	Indicates the manufacturer's serial number so that a specific medical device can be identified	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.1.7

Use and safety

Symbol	Symbol Name	Description	Standard
	Do Not Re-use	Indicates a medical device that is intended for one single use only NOTE: Synonyms for “Do not reuse” are “single use” and “use only once”.	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.4.2
	Consult Instructions for Use or Consult Electronic Instructions for Use	Indicates the need for the user to consult the instructions for use	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.4.3
	Consult Instructions for Use or Consult Electronic Instructions for Use	Indicates the need for the user to consult the instructions for use	ISO 15223-1 Ref. Annex A.16
	Contains or Presence of Natural Rubber Latex	Indicates the presence of dry natural rubber or natural rubber latex as a material of construction within the medical device or the packaging of a medical device	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.4.5
	Not Made with or Absence of Natural Rubber Latex	Indicates the absence of dry natural rubber or natural rubber latex as a material of construction within the medical device or the packaging of a medical device	ISO 15223-1 Ref. Annex B (B.2)
	Do Not Use if Package is Damaged and Consult Instructions for Use	Indicates a medical device that should not be used if the package has been damaged or opened and that the user should consult the instructions for use for additional information	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.2.8
	Contains potential Type IV chemical allergens	For any medical glove where chemical ingredients such as accelerators, antioxidants and biocides are added during the manufacturing or already known to be present in the product and there is a residual risk of causing Type IV allergy	BS EN 455-3 Ref. 4.6 (b)

Sterility

Symbol	Symbol Name	Description	Standard
	Sterile	Indicates a medical device that has been subjected to a sterilization process	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.2.1
	Sterilized Using Irradiation	Indicates a medical device that has been sterilized using irradiation	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.2.4
	Non-Sterile	Indicates a medical device that has not been subjected to a sterilization process	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.2.7
	Single Sterile Barrier System with Protective Packaging Inside	Indicates a single sterile barrier system with protective packaging inside	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.2.13
	Single Sterile Barrier System with Protective Packaging Outside	Indicates a single sterile barrier system with protective packaging outside	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.2.14

Storage

Symbol	Symbol Name	Description	Standard
	Keep Away from Sunlight	Indicates a medical device that needs protection from light sources	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.3.2
	Keep Dry	Indicates a medical device that needs protection from moisture	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.3.4
	Temperature Limit	Indicates the temperature limits to which the medical device can be safely exposed	ISO 15223-1 Ref. 5.3.7

Conformity marks

Symbol	Symbol Name	Description	Standard
	CE Marking	CE marking of conformity means a marking by which a manufacturer indicates that a device is in conformity with the applicable requirements set out in this Regulation and other applicable Union harmonisation legislation providing for its affixing	Regulation (EU) 2017/745 Ref. Annex V
	UKCA Marking	UKCA marking of conformity means a marking by which a manufacturer indicates that a device is in conformity with the applicable requirements for products sold within Great Britain	UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002
	Swiss MD Marking	Swiss MD marking of conformity means a marking by which a manufacturer indicates that a device is in conformity with the applicable requirements for products sold within Switzerland	Swiss Medical Devices Ordinance (MedDO) Ref. Annex 5

Symbols are shown for reference. Always follow the symbols and instructions printed on the product packaging.