ISO 7000 is an essential international standard if you place these symbols as labelling on products, ensuring that the eventual users can establish how to use or fix equipment.
A graphical symbol is defined as a visually perceptible figure used to transmit information independently of language. It may be produced by drawing, printing or other means. The principles for the creation of graphical symbols for use on equipment are laid down in BS EN 80416-1.
This international standard provides a synopsis of the graphical symbols for use in different technical fields that are placed on any equipment or parts of equipment, to instruct the user before, during and after operation.
More than 3000 symbols are now defined and illustrated in this new standard - 50% more than contained in the last published version.
The reason for the standardization of the drawing elements for these types of symbols is to ensure uniformity and legibility when they are reduced in size to fit on a control button or panel. The meaning of most of these symbols is not intuitive; they must be learned.
BS ISO 7000:2004 Graphical symbols for use on equipment. Index and synopsis replaces BS 7324:1990 which is now withdrawn.