A communication model for determining the appropriateness of on-product warnings

There is evidence that on-product warnings (OPWs) are not seen or are ignored. Further, there is no sound empirical evidence that they influence behavior. Finally, there is evidence they might be dangerous. Commensurate with this, OPWs are being used too pervasively. Use of warning labels should be reserved for only those products where it can reasonably be determined that labels are an appropriate method for communication. This article provides a qualitative protocol for making that determination. The protocol includes consideration of six elements of a communication model: sender, receiver, message, medium/channel, objective, and environment.