PICTOGRAMS AND STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS
FOR USE ON IMMEDIATE LABELS OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCTS

Pictograms and standard abbreviations are often used on packaging and labelling of veterinary medicines for a number of important reasons:

• to reduce the wording that needs translation;
• to facilitate the use of multi-lingual packaging;
• to facilitate the improved availability of veterinary medicinal products in small markets;
• to improve legibility and immediate comprehension by the end-user.

CMDv agreement to the use of pictograms

CMDv has agreed that animal species pictograms can be used on small immediate labels, blisters and ampoules – but these cannot be used to replace the words “For Animal Treatment Only”. The pictograms can only come from an agreed catalogue. There is currently no CMDv agreement on the use of the functional pictograms.

The pictograms and standard abbreviations available below are intended for use on the immediate labels of veterinary medicinal products in Europe. Developing additional pictograms (e.g. additional species) for use on the immediate label may be the subject of a future project. Developing additional pictograms for use on the outer packaging may be the subject of a future project.

Catalogue of immediate label pictograms

The pictograms and standard abbreviations available below are intended for use on the immediate labels of veterinary medicinal products in Europe. The catalogue has not been formally agreed by CMDv. The pictograms have been developed by IFAH-Europe and remain the copy-right of IFAH-Europe. They are offered free of charge to manufacturers of veterinary medicinal products who share the common objectives stated above. The pictograms must be used according the Best Practice Guide to the Use of Pictograms. Not all authorised species are covered currently. Proposals for pictograms for additional species should be sent to the Technical Department at IFAH-Europe ([email protected]).

Developing additional pictograms (e.g. additional species) for use on the immediate label or a set of pictograms for use on the outer packaging may be the subject of a future project.