Permanent Tray ID

Why tape falls short

Adhesive tape, colour stickers and printed labels are prone to failure over time: adhesives degrade, colours fade, and residue builds up between layers, trapping moisture, debris and bacteria. Constant re-labelling adds cleaning labour, and the sticky residue that remains can compromise sterile field integrity and raise contamination risk.

A permanent alternative

Tags in this line are made from stainless steel or anodized aluminum and are fully autoclavable, marked with laser-engraved text, barcodes or QR codes, and attached using clean, hardware-free methods built to last for decades rather than weeks or months.

Integrating with existing tracking systems

Whether a facility tracks instruments by text label, barcode or 2D matrix code, tags can be customized to display a set name, department or tray ID, Barcode 39 or 128, 2D Data Matrix, QR codes, or left unmarked for in-house coding — configured to align with the hospital’s digital tracking software so every tray stays connected to its database entry.

Tag formats

Round ID tag

The most compact and economical option, at 34mm in diameter, suited to smaller trays, baskets and tight spaces. Made from surgical-grade stainless steel and attached by key ring, clip or cable, it resists corrosion, heat and mechanical stress for years of use.

Rectangle ID tag

Available in 90×30mm and 82×40mm sizes for more marking space, supporting both text and multiple barcodes or QR codes on a single tag — well suited to departments managing large tray inventories or multi-data tracking needs.

Prong plate ID tag

At 95×30mm, this tag becomes part of the tray itself: four stainless-steel prongs insert directly into existing sieve tray holes and are bent flat for a permanent, tool-free installation with no separate clips or cables — a flat, low-profile, zero-maintenance option for frequently used trays.

Basket ID tag

A generous 100×80mm marking area rests on top of wire baskets, giving high-visibility identification for busy sterile processing or OR environments, with room for multiple barcodes, 2D codes or large text and fast scanning at a distance.

Aluminum tray ID

A lightweight, anodized alternative to stainless steel, available in multiple colour-coded finishes for instant visual identification of departments, procedures or instrument sets, while remaining laser-marked, corrosion-resistant and compatible with barcode or QR tracking.

ID tag clips

Three attachment options — stainless steel key ring, clip, or cable — form the backbone of the system, each autoclavable, corrosion-resistant and residue-free, and compatible across all tag models so a facility can mix and match attachments to suit different tray types.

Making the switch from tape

Because every component is metallic and non-porous, the system removes tape-related contamination risk entirely. A tape residue removal kit clears old adhesive and buildup from tray surfaces, preparing them for a fresh, permanent tag installation with no sticky edges or ongoing re-labelling.

Traceability and rollout support

Tags can be engraved to match a hospital’s digital tracking database, supporting barcode and 2D matrix compatibility with major software platforms and custom data formatting to match internal codes, creating a fully digital traceability loop from sterilization to storage to the OR. Orders arrive clearly labelled by tag type, size and attachment method, pre-sorted against the facility’s tray database, with setup instructions and hands-on support available for data migration and system rollout.

Compliance and durability

Components are tested for thermal and mechanical durability, autoclave compatibility, long-term barcode and QR readability, and corrosion and oxidation resistance, with every tag and clip inspected for consistency and lasting readability. Because the system is reusable and metal rather than disposable, it also reduces material waste, reprocessing time and labour costs over the life of a tray.

Supporting Canadian sterile processing teams

EB MED CO helps Canadian hospitals and surgical centres modernize tray identification with minimal disruption, offering system design and data-mapping assistance, tape removal support, and installation coordination with sterile processing teams as they move to a permanent, tape-free system.