Does BS5609 meet or exceed IMO Specifications for labeling HAZMAT
containers transported by sea?

Thanks for an interesting question.

The BS5609 standard pertains specifically to the durability of
placards on HAZMAT containers, and, according to the article cited
below, it is referenced directly in the IMO specifications as an
acceptable means of meeting durability requirements.

Specifically,  in the article:  "The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and
Marine Pollutants in Packaged Form on Ships in accordance with
Amendment 30-00 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG)
Code", which can be found at:

http://www.mcga.gov.uk/mgn/mgn0159.pdf

the IMDG regulations (which are created by the IMO) are summarized. 
The section on Placarding reads as follows:

"Packages and Cargo Transport Units containing dangerous goods are to
be durably marked for carriage by sea. “Durably marked” means that the
label or other marking is such as to remain identifiable on packages
surviving at least three months immersion in the sea. The durability
requirements for pressure
sensitive labels can be achieved through British Standard, BS5609:
1986 (British Standard Specification for Printed Pressure-sensitive,
Adhesive-coated Labels for Marine Use, including Requirements for
Label Base Material), which was published in December 1986."

So, BS5609 does seem to meet the durability requirements (and only the
durability requirements -- not the entire set of standards) of the
IMDG code.

I hope this answers your question.  I strive to give the best answers
possible, but if you feel additional information is needed, please
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search strategy:  Google search on: BS5609 IMDG

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