Medical gas cylinders go white

The MHRA have approved a proposed change to the appearance of medical gas cylinders, which will bring significant benefits for the safeguard of patients. In the future it is proposed that all medical gas cylinders will have a white body and carry the product name and the chemical formula for the gas on the body. The MHRA has given all medical gas cylinder suppliers until 2025 to complete the change.

There will be no change to the gas colour identification which will remain on the shoulder of the cylinder, or the colour coded collars that BOC use on its cylinders. BOC Healthcare’s integral valve oxygen, ENTONOX and HELIOX21 cylinders already have this "new look" with a white body and the name printed on the body and are an example of the type of appearance that will be gradually applied to all medical gas cylinders

BOC Healthcare, as the largest supplier to the UK market has a significant population of cylinders. It will therefore be necessary to introduce these changes on a phased basis. In order to minimise the inconvenience of these changes, the MHRA has approved an extended conversion period which will mean medical gas cylinders can be supplied in both colour schemes. The following identification chart provides information for those involved in handling or using medical gas cylinders to help them understand the changes.

Identification chart

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