Lactation room pictogram and signage: what is mandatory and how do you set it up correctly?

Short answer: No, a pictogram for the pumping space is not legally required in the Netherlands: there is no official ISO symbol, nor a legal provision mandating signage. What is required: the Working Hours Act (Article 4:8) obliges employers to provide, where necessary, a suitable and lockable space for pumping. Clear, discreet signage is not a legal requirement but is strongly recommended to make the space easily accessible without compromising users' privacy.

Many offices already have a pumping space but struggle with a practical question: how do you indicate the space without drawing attention to who uses it? This article explains what is and isn’t legally required, and how to arrange signage and layout so the space is easy to find while remaining discreet.

Is a pumping space legally required?

The right to pump or breastfeed during working hours in the Netherlands is outlined in the Arbeidstijdenwet (Working Hours Act), article 4:8. Employees who breastfeed are entitled to interrupt their work to pump or nurse during the first nine months of the child’s life – as often and as long as needed, with a maximum of a quarter of the working time per shift. These breaks count as working hours, so pay continues.

The employer is required to provide, where necessary, a suitable and lockable space from the inside. The law does not specify technical requirements, but in practice and according to guidelines from unions and occupational health services, a suitable lactation room is generally assumed to:

• can be locked from the inside;
• is located quietly and separately, with sufficient privacy;
• a chair or rest bench has;
• has a pleasant climate with sufficient fresh air;
• has a fridge to store pumped milk;
• hygienic and free from harmful substances – a toilet area therefore does not qualify as a suitable space.

Is a pictogram or signage legally required?

No. Neither the Dutch Working Hours Act nor any other Dutch legislation requires a nursing or pumping room to be marked with a pictogram or specific sign. This is a key difference from spaces like restrooms or emergency exits, which do have internationally standardized symbols.

Even stronger: there is no officially standardized, internationally recognized pictogram for a nursing or lactation room. The ISO 7001 standard for public information symbols includes symbols for "baby care," "daycare," and priority for pregnant women, but there is no specific symbol for a nursing or lactation room. Companies using a pictogram therefore choose an icon themselves (for example, a baby or bottle symbol) or a neutral text sign such as "Nursing Room" or "Quiet Room in Use."

Why Signage Is Still Important

While not mandatory, clear signage is still recommended for two reasons:

1. Accessibility. New employees, visiting colleagues from other locations, or flexible workers should be able to find the space without having to ask colleagues—something that already feels like a barrier for many people.
2. Avoiding awkward situations. Without clear signage (and without an occupied/vacant indicator), a colleague might accidentally enter a space that is already in use. This is uncomfortable for everyone and undermines the sense of privacy the space is meant to provide.

Practical recommendations for signage and layout

• Use a neutral name on the door, such as "Pumping Room" or "Private Room", instead of an icon that could confuse visitors with a regular baby care room.
• Install an occupied/vacant indicator on the door (similar to a toilet occupancy sign) so that no one accidentally walks in. This is a simple, cost-effective adjustment with a significant impact on the sense of privacy.
• Include the room in the floor plan and the onboarding program for new employees, instead of (or alongside) a physical pictogram in the hallway. This way, people who wish to use the room know where it is without its purpose being visible to everyone passing by.
• Link the space to a reservation system if your office has multiple pumping rooms or a shared quiet/call room – this prevents someone from standing in front of an occupied door. Read more about smart room scheduling in our article on a meeting room reservation system.
• Ensure the space meets the equipment requirements (lockable, fridge, chair, climate) before considering signage—a nice sign won’t fix an unsuitable space. Our complete guide to office lactation rooms covers all equipment requirements in detail.

Repurposing an existing space into a nursing or pumping room?

Many offices convert an existing meeting room, phone booth, or quiet room into a pumping space. This is possible, but ensure the space meets all requirements (lockable from the inside, no glass walls without screening, no through-traffic function). Unsure if your space is suitable, or considering a ready-made solution? Check out Colve, the standalone pumping space by Offyce, or first read our article on converting a meeting room into a pumping space. A full overview of pumping space options can be found on our pumping space page.

Frequently asked questions

Is a nursing or pumping room legally required at work?
Yes, under the Dutch Working Hours Act (Article 4:8), an employer must, where necessary, provide employees with a suitable and lockable space for pumping or breastfeeding.

Is an icon for the pumping room mandatory?
No. There is no legal requirement, nor is there an officially standardized icon (such as those for toilets) for a pumping or lactation room.

What symbol should you use for a pumping room?
Since no official symbol exists, most offices opt for a neutral text sign (e.g., "Pumping Room") instead of an icon, often combined with an occupied/vacant indicator on the door.

Can a restroom serve as a lactation room?
No. A restroom is not considered a suitable space: the room must be hygienic and free from harmful substances, and a toilet does not meet these standards.

How long can someone pump during working hours?
As often and as long as needed, with a maximum of a quarter of the working time per shift, during the first nine months of the child’s life. This time counts as working hours and is paid.

Sources

• Dirkzwager, The nutritional rights of the young working mother
• FNV / Leiden University, Pumping Account
• Wikipedia, ISO 7001 (public information symbols)

This article provides general information. In case of doubt about the specific situation at your office, consult an occupational health and safety expert or legal advisor.

Last updated on 24 October 2026 by Stijn Belmans