Orientation of Labels
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration · Feb 3, 1995 · Reference No. 95-0144
Interprets: 49 CFR § 172.406
Reggie’s quick take
Someone asked whether hazardous materials warning labels must be placed with the label's corners pointing up, down, and to each side (square-on-point), or whether a flat-sided orientation is allowed. PHMSA said that square-on-point is the intent when possible, but 49 CFR 172.406 does not prohibit placing a label with its flat side parallel to the package sides.
Written by AI (Claude) on Oct 22, 2026. Robots make mistakes and leave things out, so the letter below is what counts. Not legal advice.
This is in response to your letter of January 23, 1995, requesting information on the orientation of hazardous materials warning labels.
While it is the intent of the regulations that a label be oriented square-on-point on a package when possible, the requirements of 49 CFR 172.406 do not prohibit the placement of labels in an orientation where the label has its flat side parallel to the sides of the package.
I hope this information is helpful.
A letter of interpretation applies the regulations to the facts the requester described. It isn’t a regulation and isn’t legal advice. The agency’s copy.