All About the Lashing Strap Label.

If you want to secure loads properly, lashing straps are indispensable. But what do the details on the lashing strap label mean? Terms like S_TF (Standard Tension Force) or LC (Lashing Capacity) play a crucial role in transport safety. In this article, you’ll learn what information the lashing strap label according to DIN EN 12195-2 must include, why the label color matters, and what to watch out for to spot counterfeit products.

What information must the label on a lashing strap contain?

According to DIN EN 12195-2, the following information must be present on a lashing strap label:

Lashing Capacity (LC)
Lengths LG (total length), LGF (total length fixed end), and LGL (total length loose end) in meters
Standard Hand Force (SHF)
Standard Tension Force (STF) (daN)
Note: “Do not lift, only lash!”
Webbing material
Name or symbol of the manufacturer or supplier
Manufacturer’s or distributor’s traceability code
Standard according to which the lashing strap was manufactured
Manufacture date including year
Elongation at permissible lashing capacity (LC)
Sewn-in area so that the manufacturer’s name or a clear identifier is permanently attached to the strap
If available: GS mark and testing body
Permissible lashing force for 1-piece or 2-piece lashing straps (directly or on the packaging)
The label color indicates the material of the strap

What does the STF value on a lashing strap label mean?

S_TF (Standard Tension Force) indicates the tension force generated in the strap when the ratchet is operated with the standardized hand force (S_HF) of, for example, 50 daN. This value is crucial for calculating the holding force during diagonal lashing.

What is the meaning of the label color?

Since different lashing strap materials have varying chemical and thermal resistances, lashing strap labels come in different colors depending on the strap material. If the label on a strap is blue, the lashing strap is made of polyester. Green labels indicate that the lashing strap is made of polyamide, and brown labels stand for polypropylene lashing straps. The color determination of lashing strap labels follows the DIN EN 12195-2 standard. A white label usually indicates straps made of UHMW-PE. Although this material is not explicitly listed in DIN EN 12195-2, it has become a standard.

What does daN mean on a lashing strap?

In load securing, it’s not about weight but the forces the strap must withstand. Therefore, the lashing force values on a lashing strap label are given in Newtons, not kilograms. For ease of calculation, we use dekanewton (daN), where 1 daN = 10 Newton, approximately equal to 1 kg.

Important for direct lashing: The LC of the strap must be observed here, as the acceleration forces of the load act directly on the strap. For diagonal lashing, the S_TF is primarily relevant. The LC can serve as an upper limit for strap load but is not the calculation-relevant value for diagonal lashing.

Which label information on a lashing strap is important for diagonal lashing?

The lashing capacity (LC) is only used for direct lashing. For diagonal lashing, the S_TF on the lashing strap label is relevant instead. The S_TF indicates the tension force in daN that acts in the strap at minimum when the ratchet lever is operated with the indicated hand force (S_HF). This value represents the force generated by tensioning with a ratchet. It is important, among other things, for calculating the number of straps required for diagonal lashing.

Is a GS mark required on the lashing strap?

It is not legally required for a GS mark to be on the lashing strap label. However, the GS mark stands for “Tested Safety” and is a quality and safety seal. Manufacturers can have their lashing straps certified through GS tests and place the test mark on the respective strap labels. If this is done, the test number must always be included on the label. If it is missing, the GS mark on the label may be a counterfeit. It is important to know that these straps have also been tested by an independent testing organization. The GS mark thus represents an additional test that gives consumers extra confidence that the product meets the specified properties.

Is a CE mark allowed on the lashing strap label?

No, a CE mark is not allowed on the lashing strap label. The CE mark, which stands for European Conformity, must not appear on a lashing strap label for legal reasons. Manufacturers use the CE mark to show that their products comply with the EU harmonization directive. Since no harmonized EU directive according to the Product Safety Act applies to lashing straps, a CE mark is not permitted. Its use on a lashing strap label is therefore a sign of a counterfeit. Hence, lashing straps must not carry a CE mark.

What happens if the information on the label is no longer legible or the label is partially torn off?

In this case, the lashing strap is considered unusable (must no longer be used), because important information about the strap can no longer be read. You can find out more about what else can cause a lashing strap to become unusable in our Lashing Straps FAQ.