Packaging & product labels
Marks printed on packaging and containers: recycling and sorting marks, transport handling pictograms, food-contact and kitchenware symbols, and cosmetics labelling symbols.
Best before (hourglass)2 meaningsBest before (hourglass)Precedes the date until which the cosmetic product, stored properly, keeps working as intended and stays safe (or tells you where that date is printed). It can be used instead of the words "best used before the end of". The date is given as month and year, or day, month and year. Products that keep for more than 30 months need not show it and carry the open-jar period-after-opening symbol instead.Differs by brand.On Cosmetics marks
Centre of gravityHandling marksCentre of gravityMarks where the centre of gravity of the package lies, so it can be lifted and stowed safely. It is useful mainly when the centre of gravity is not in the middle; placed on two adjoining sides it pins the point down exactly.On ISO 780
Clamp hereHandling marksClamp hereClamp handling equipment may grip the package only on the sides marked. Clamping anywhere else is not allowed.On ISO 780
Dishwasher safeFood contact marksDishwasher safeThe product can be cleaned in the dishwasher.On Mepal
Electrostatic sensitive deviceHandling marksElectrostatic sensitive deviceThe package holds goods that electrostatic discharge can damage. Avoid contact with it when the air is very dry, as on hot dry summer days or very cold winter days, and especially when wearing insulating shoes or standing on a non-conductive floor.On ISO 780
Estimated sign (℮)Food contact marksEstimated sign (℮)Printed next to the nominal weight or volume of a prepacked product (from 5 g or 5 ml up to 10 kg or 10 l). With it the packer or importer guarantees that the packs meet the EU rules on quantity: on average the packs contain at least the stated quantity, and only a small share may fall short by more than the permitted tolerance. It must be at least 3 mm high and in the same field of vision as the quantity.On Food contact marks
Food contact symbol (glass and fork)Food contact marksFood contact symbol (glass and fork)The material or article is intended to come into contact with food, for example a storage box, cling film or kitchen utensil. In the EU it can be used on items that are not yet in contact with food when sold, instead of the words "for food contact" or a specific indication of use (such as "wine bottle"); items that are clearly meant for food need not carry it. It may be used only on materials that meet the EU food contact rules.On Food contact marks
Fragile, handle with care2 meaningsFragile, handle with careThe contents are easily broken. Handle the package carefully, never tip it over and do not lift it with slings.Differs by brand.On ISO 780
Freezer safeFood contact marksFreezer safeThe product can go in the freezer. Products that should not be frozen carry this icon crossed out instead.On Mepal- Green Dot (Der Grüne Punkt)Recycling marksGreen Dot (Der Grüne Punkt)The Green Dot does not mean the packaging is recyclable or will be recycled. It shows that the producer has paid a financial contribution to a national packaging recovery organisation for this packaging. It is widely used across Europe.On Recycling marks
Keep away from heat (sunlight)2 meaningsKeep away from heat (sunlight)Keep the package as cool as possible, out of direct sunlight and away from other heat sources. Used for goods that heat can spoil, such as foods that melt.Differs by brand.On ISO 780
Keep dry2 meaningsKeep dryKeep the package away from rain and high humidity. Store it under cover; if it is too big for a warehouse, cover it carefully with tarpaulins.Differs by brand.On ISO 780
Microwave safeFood contact marksMicrowave safeThe product may be put in the microwave oven.On Mepal
Mobius loopRecycling marksMobius loopThe item or its packaging is capable of being recycled. It does not promise that your local collection accepts it, so check what your council or local scheme collects before putting it in the recycling bin.On Recycling marks
Mobius loop with percentageRecycling marksMobius loop with percentageThe figure in the middle of the loop says what share of the packaging is made from recycled material, for example 50% means half. Like the plain loop, it does not guarantee the item is collected for recycling where you live.On Recycling marks
No forklift hereHandling marksNo forklift hereDo not pick up the package with a forklift truck from the side carrying this mark. Sides without the mark may be handled by forklift.On ISO 780
No hand truck hereHandling marksNo hand truck hereDo not move the package with a hand truck (sack truck). A package without this mark may be moved with one.On ISO 780
Not dishwasher safeFood contact marksNot dishwasher safeDo not put the product in the dishwasher; wash it by hand.On Mepal
Not freezer safeFood contact marksNot freezer safeDo not put the product in the freezer; some materials crack when frozen.On Mepal
Not microwave safeFood contact marksNot microwave safeDo not put the product in the microwave, usually because its material should not be heated in this way.On Mepal
Oven safeFood contact marksOven safeThe product is suitable for use in the oven. Check the maximum oven temperature given for the specific product before use.On Mepal
Period after opening (open jar)Cosmetics marksPeriod after opening (open jar)Shows how long the cosmetic product stays safe to use once opened, given as a number of months and/or years next to the jar (for example 12M = 12 months). It is required on products that keep for more than 30 months, which therefore do not need a best-before date, unless the idea of a shelf life after opening does not apply to the product.On Cosmetics marks
Plastic resin code 1 (PET)Recycling marksPlastic resin code 1 (PET)Resin identification code 1: the item is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The number inside the chasing-arrows triangle identifies the type of plastic so that it can be sorted; it does not by itself mean the item is recyclable or collected where you live. It is the most common plastic collected at the kerbside, used for example for clear food containers and cups; most household recycling collections pick it up. In the EU packaging material identification system the same number stands for the same plastic. Check your local collection rules.On Recycling marks
Plastic resin code 2 (HDPE)Recycling marksPlastic resin code 2 (HDPE)Resin identification code 2: the item is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The number inside the chasing-arrows triangle identifies the type of plastic so that it can be sorted; it does not by itself mean the item is recyclable or collected where you live. Most household recycling collections pick it up. In the EU packaging material identification system the same number stands for the same plastic. Check your local collection rules.On Recycling marks
Plastic resin code 3 (PVC)Recycling marksPlastic resin code 3 (PVC)Resin identification code 3: the item is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The number inside the chasing-arrows triangle identifies the type of plastic so that it can be sorted; it does not by itself mean the item is recyclable or collected where you live. Some labels show the letter V instead of PVC under the triangle. In the EU packaging material identification system the same number stands for the same plastic. Check your local collection rules.On Recycling marks
Plastic resin code 4 (LDPE)Recycling marksPlastic resin code 4 (LDPE)Resin identification code 4: the item is made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The number inside the chasing-arrows triangle identifies the type of plastic so that it can be sorted; it does not by itself mean the item is recyclable or collected where you live. In the EU packaging material identification system the same number stands for the same plastic. Check your local collection rules.On Recycling marks
Plastic resin code 5 (PP)Recycling marksPlastic resin code 5 (PP)Resin identification code 5: the item is made of polypropylene (PP). The number inside the chasing-arrows triangle identifies the type of plastic so that it can be sorted; it does not by itself mean the item is recyclable or collected where you live. It is often used for microwavable food containers. In the EU packaging material identification system the same number stands for the same plastic. Check your local collection rules.On Recycling marks
Plastic resin code 6 (PS)Recycling marksPlastic resin code 6 (PS)Resin identification code 6: the item is made of polystyrene (PS), including foamed polystyrene. The number inside the chasing-arrows triangle identifies the type of plastic so that it can be sorted; it does not by itself mean the item is recyclable or collected where you live. In the EU packaging material identification system the same number stands for the same plastic. Check your local collection rules.On Recycling marks
Plastic resin code 7 (OTHER)Recycling marksPlastic resin code 7 (OTHER)Resin identification code 7: the item is made of other plastics. The number inside the chasing-arrows triangle identifies the type of plastic so that it can be sorted; it does not by itself mean the item is recyclable or collected where you live. Check your local collection rules.On Recycling marks
Protect from heat and radioactive sourcesHandling marksProtect from heat and radioactive sourcesStore as for the heat symbol, cool and out of the sun, and in addition keep the package shielded from radioactive sources.On ISO 780- Recyclable aluminium (alu)Recycling marksRecyclable aluminium (alu)The item, for example a drinks can or a deodorant aerosol, is made of aluminium that can be recycled again and again. Check your local collection rules.On Recycling marks
Refer to enclosed information (hand on book)Cosmetics marksRefer to enclosed information (hand on book)Some required information, such as the precautions for use or the list of ingredients, did not fit on the pack and is given on an enclosed or attached leaflet, label, tape, tag or card. Read it before use.On Cosmetics marks
Sling hereHandling marksSling hereShows where lifting slings should be placed when the package is lifted. It says where to sling, not how to lift. If the marks are equally far from the centre of gravity, equal-length slings keep the load level.On ISO 780
Stacking limitHandling marksStacking limitOnly a limited weight may be stacked on the package. The maximum load is written next to the symbol (for example "… kg max."). Because such packages can take little load, they are best stowed in the top layer.On ISO 780
Steam oven safeFood contact marksSteam oven safeThe product can be used in a steam oven, up to a maximum of 100 °C.On Mepal
Temperature limits2 meaningsTemperature limitsThe package must be kept within a temperature range. The limit is written next to the symbol, as a single temperature or as a maximum and minimum in °C, and should also appear on the consignment note.Differs by brand.On ISO 780
This way upHandling marksThis way upThe arrows must always point up when the package is transported, handled and stored. Avoid tipping, rolling, swinging or turning it over.On ISO 780- TidymanRecycling marksTidymanNot a recycling symbol. It reminds you to dispose of the packaging properly and not drop it as litter. In the UK it is a trademark of Keep Britain Tidy, and brands pay a fee to use it on their packaging.On Recycling marks
TrimanRecycling marksTrimanFrench sorting logo. It tells consumers in France that the product or its packaging is covered by a sorting rule and must not go into the general household waste bin; it has to be sorted or taken to a collection point such as a recycling bin, a shop take-back point or a waste centre. Since 2022 it is shown together with the Info-tri panel, which says how and where each part should be sorted. The obligation is being phased in product group by product group.On Recycling marks
Use no hooksHandling marksUse no hooksDo not handle the package with hooks, and avoid any other kind of point load on it. The mark does not by itself rule out the plate hooks used for handling bagged cargo.On ISO 780