Note. This text is general information and not legal advice. TRGS, the Hazardous Substances Ordinance, waste law, dangerous-goods law and the acceptance conditions of your waste disposal company are binding. Risk assessment and expertise remain the responsibility of your company.
TRGS 519 and TRGS 521
TRGS 519 governs asbestos in demolition, remediation and maintenance work. TRGS 521 deals with fibre dust in work with old mineral wool. Our data sheets state the appropriate TRGS as the item's standard reference.
Asbestos warning print
The asbestos items carry the warning print on one side. It consists of the large warning symbol “a” with German text and six further fields. The print is in seven languages: German, English, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. In essence every field says the same: the contents contain asbestos, inhaling asbestos dust endangers health, the safety regulations must be observed, the container must be kept closed.
Why is it done this way? On the way to disposal an asbestos sack changes hands several times and often crosses countries. The multilingual print warns everyone in their own language without an accompanying slip being necessary. The data sheets cite TRGS 519 as the standard reference. Which labelling is binding on the disposal route is determined by hazardous-substance and waste law and your waste disposal company.
The print template: vector PDF (template DS-01-06102022), 1 side with 2 solid colours (Pantone 485 C red and black), centred on the surface, up to approx. 60 × 80 cm, optionally with the DS logo “Einmalig sicher”. The sheet bags and big bags also carry the DS label with notes on safe use.
Packing asbestos waste: TRGS 519 no. 18
For waste, TRGS 519 governs in no. 18 (version 28 February 2025) the collection, provision, transport and deposit. The containers must be suitable, securely closable and labelled (no. 18.1); no fibres may be released during transport (no. 18.2); the containers must not be destroyed on deposit (no. 18.4). Which containers are suitable for which type of waste, which of our items fit, and what acceptance points require is explained on the page Asbestos big bags and sacks.
Mineral wool warning print
Mineral wool items carry the mineral wool warning print: a warning triangle with an exclamation mark and text in three languages (German, English, French). It names mineral wool and fibre dust under TRGS 521 and warns that the contents can release carcinogenic fibres. The ProSafe Big Bag logo is below.
Why is it done this way? Old mineral wool from existing buildings can release fibre dust during removal and decanting, which may have to be classified as carcinogenic. TRGS 521 governs handling in demolition, remediation and maintenance work. Because of the low density, the bags are designed for a load capacity of 150 to 250 kg. The bags BBM90T have two transparent sides so that the contents remain visible.
The print template: 1 colour (Pantone 424 C, grey) on 2 opposite sides, each centred, approx. 66 × 21 cm. The PDF template is also available in red.
Languages, wording and print templates in detail, and placing your logo on the free side
Asbestos and mineral wool compared
| Asbestos | Mineral wool | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation (standard reference in the data sheet) | TRGS 519 | TRGS 521 (fibre dust) |
| Warning print | seven languages, 2 colours (Pantone 485 C and black), 1 side | three languages, 1 colour (Pantone 424 C), 2 sides |
| Items in the range | 18 | 9 |
| Designs | Big bag, sheet bag, container bag, flat bag | Big bag, flat bag |
| Big bag load capacity | 1,000 to 1,250 kg | 150 to 250 kg |
| Pieces per pallet (examples) | 350 (BBA90), 280 (BBA260), 50 (BBA620) | 500 (BBM90), 1.000 (PPFBM140) |
What you must clarify in addition
- Acceptance conditions of the waste disposal company: type of packaging, labelling, filling level
- Transport-law classification (ADR, GGVSEB): our items are not designated as UN packaging
- Filling according to your working procedure (risk assessment, dust minimisation)
- Documentation and evidence along the disposal route
Who is responsible for what?
Packaging is part of the disposal route, and that route has several parties: the company carrying out the work decides on working procedure, filling and provision according to its risk assessment. The waste disposal company or acceptance point determines which packaging and labelling it accepts. We supply the bag with data sheet and warning print, but whether it suffices for your case is a decision you make together with these two.
Empty bags
How empty bags are to be treated is determined by your waste disposal company, especially for bags with asbestos or mineral wool warning print. Ask them before disposal.
Your own logo next to the warning print
If you also want a company logo or text printed, you order from five pallets per order and motif. On asbestos bags the warning print sits on one side, on mineral wool bags on two opposite sides, and remains visible and unchanged. Your motif goes on the free area. In the printing advisor you can see where the warning print sits and how much space remains.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the asbestos warning print in seven languages?
An asbestos sack often changes hands and countries on the way to disposal. The multilingual print warns everyone in their own language. It does not replace labelling as required by regulation for your disposal route.
Does TRGS 521 also apply to new mineral wool?
TRGS 521 deals with fibre dust in work with old mineral wool, for example from existing buildings. Whether it applies to your activity is something you clarify in your risk assessment.
Can I pack asbestos in a bag without warning print?
TRGS 519 no. 18.1 requires labelled containers. How you label is determined by the regulations and your waste disposal company. The warning print from the factory is one option but does not replace coordination with the acceptance point.
Sources and date
- TRGS 519 “Asbestos: demolition, remediation or maintenance work” (BAuA), version 28 February 2025, no. 18 (waste), no. 18.1, 18.2, 18.4.
- TRGS 521 “Fibre dusts” (BAuA): work with old mineral wool.
- Print templates of DS SafetyWear Arbeitsschutzprodukte GmbH: asbestos (DS-01-06102022), mineral wool.
- Item data: product data sheets of DS SafetyWear Arbeitsschutzprodukte GmbH.
As of: 23 October 2026. General technical information, not legal advice. The data sheet, label and the requirements of your waste disposal company or client take precedence.
