Rating plates: what has to go on them and which material lasts

A rating plate is a machine's ID card. People check it at goods-in, during servicing, when ordering spares and at inspections. A plate that's unreadable after two years wastes everyone's time and can become a compliance problem.

What machinery rules require

For machinery placed on the EU market, Directive 2006/42/EC (Annex I, section 1.7.3) requires at least:

• the business name and full address of the manufacturer and, where applicable, its authorised representative;
• the designation of the machinery;
• the CE marking;
• the designation of series or type;
• the serial number, if any;
• the year of construction, meaning the year the manufacturing process was completed.

Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which replaces the Directive from 20 January 2027, carries the same information over. In Great Britain the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 apply, with UKCA or CE marking. Check the rules that apply to your product and its date of placing on the market.

What gets added in practice

• electrical data: voltage, frequency, current or power, according to the standards that apply to the equipment;
• the mass, where it matters for handling;
• a barcode or Data Matrix carrying the serial number, for traceability and service;
• sometimes a QR code linking to the manual or spare parts list.

Which material

Environment	Recommended material	Printing
Clean indoor use, control cabinet, office equipment	Silvermat (matt silver PP)	Thermal transfer wax-resin or resin, or flexo
Workshop: oil, cleaners, abrasion	Polyester	Thermal transfer with resin ribbon
High heat, aggressive substances, long-term outdoors	Validate with a test on the part	According to the test

Silvermat gives a brushed-metal look without glare, popular on technical products. Polyester is stiffer and tougher, and the choice once oil, solvents or heat are involved. The full comparison is in paper, PP or polyester.

Serial numbers: pre-printed or printed on site?

• Pre-printed: we produce labels with sequential numbering, delivered in order. Ideal for large runs.
• Printed on site: a Silvermat or polyester base with logo and fixed fields, with a thermal transfer printer adding serial number, date and barcode at assembly. Ideal when each machine has different data.

Warranty and tamper evidence

To show unauthorised opening, a VOID label leaves a visible pattern when removed. It complements the rating plate rather than replacing it (see our security labels).

Common mistakes

• A plate on a hot or vibrating surface without a suitable adhesive.
• A wax ribbon on PP: it wipes off at the first clean.
• Year of construction or address left off.
• A barcode too small for the workshop scanner.

What to tell your supplier

• environment (oil, heat, cleaners, outdoors);
• application surface (painted metal, plastic, bare aluminium);
• fixed and variable fields;
• printer and ribbon if you print on site;
• quantities and any numbering.

Our Silvermat silver labels come blank or printed in multi-colour UV flexo; for a custom run, send us a quote request.

This article summarises the rules as of its update date; check the regulations that apply to your equipment.