It uses colours and principles set out in ISO 3864 for these symbols, and is intended to provide "safety information that relies as little as possible on the use of words to achieve understanding.
[2][3] As of September 2022[update], the latest version is ISO 7010:2019, with 8 published amendments.
[5] ISO 7010 specifies five combinations of shape and colour to distinguish between the type of information presented.
[6] ISO registers and lists recommended pictograms, which it calls "safety signs", on its website, ISO.org.
[9] ISO 7010 states on all symbols with a first aid cross, that it "may be replaced with another element appropriate to cultural requirements".