EU MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION
EU packaging material codes for boxes, pouches and composite films
Identify each packaging component and confirmed material structure before choosing a code. Destination-country and importer requirements still need written confirmation.
HOW TO READ THE CODES
Start with material, separation and destination market
This page is a buyer-preparation guide, not an EU certification claim. A finished pack may contain separate components that need separate identification, or inseparable layers that need a composite or multilayer-plastic code. Lung-Lin can organize confirmed material information for an inquiry, while the EU importer or customer confirms the final label for the country where the packaged product will be placed on the market.
Common single-material references
| 1 PET | Polyethylene terephthalate, including confirmed PET clear boxes or cylinders. |
|---|---|
| 3 PVC | Polyvinyl chloride packaging where PVC is the confirmed material. |
| 4 LDPE | Single-material low-density polyethylene packaging. |
| 5 PP | Polypropylene boxes, sheets or folders where PP is confirmed. |
| PAP 20 | Corrugated fibreboard, including confirmed E/F-flute board structures. |
| PAP 21 | Non-corrugated fibreboard such as folding-carton board. |
| PAP 22 | Paper. |
| 7 | Used in current Italian guidance for plastics not assigned a specific code and for multilayer packaging made from two or more polymers. It should not be presented as a universal EU name for every composite. |
Separate components are identified separately
Removable PET sleeve + carton
Identify the sleeve and carton separately, for example 1 PET and PAP 21, after confirming both materials.
Removable blister + paper card
Identify the blister and card separately when consumers can separate them by hand.
Inseparable composite combinations in Decision 97/129/EC
| 81 | Paper or fibreboard / plastic; national guidance may show C/PAP 81 when paper is predominant. |
|---|---|
| 82 | Paper or fibreboard / aluminium. |
| 84 | Paper or fibreboard / plastic / aluminium. |
| 90 | Plastic / aluminium; the predominant-material prefix depends on confirmed composition and applicable national guidance. |
The material combinations and numbers above come from Annex VII of Commission Decision 97/129/EC. Prefix presentation and disposal instructions can vary by destination country.
FLEXIBLE FILM EXAMPLES
How the two supplied laminate structures are evaluated
| PET / VMPET / CPP | VMPET is a metallized PET film, not the same as a separate aluminium foil. When aluminium is below 5% of total packaging mass, current Italian guidance treats the insignificant secondary material as omitted; because PET and PP polymers remain, a practical description is >PET+PP< 7. Confirm the metallized-film specification before artwork approval. |
|---|---|
| PET12 / AL6 / PA15 / PE80 | AL6 is a true aluminium-foil layer. A preliminary thickness-and-density estimate puts aluminium above 5% and PE as the predominant material, so C/PE 90 is the likely current Italian-style identification. If the PE layer is confirmed as LDPE, C/LDPE 90 may be used. Final mass data and importer approval are required. |
Ink, adhesive, coating, exact resin grade and layer mass can affect the technical record. Do not approve printed codes from layer names alone.
INQUIRY CHECKLIST
Information to send before a material code is proposed
- Destination country: state the EU member country and importer.
- Packaging component: identify pouch, sleeve, carton, tray, label, cap or other component.
- Layer structure: provide the exact order and thickness, such as PET12/AL6/PA15/PE80.
- Mass information: include supplier mass data or resin density when available.
- Manual separation: explain which components can be separated by hand.
- Buyer wording: attach the importer's requested code, symbol, language and artwork specification.
Regulatory sources and timing
The existing identification tables are in Commission Decision 97/129/EC. Regulation (EU) 2025/40 applies from 12 August 2026 and introduces harmonised material-composition labelling from 12 August 2028 or 24 months after the relevant implementing acts enter into force, whichever is later. Review the current official PPWR text and destination-country rules before production.
Information checked on 4 August 2026. This page supports technical discussion and does not replace legal advice, conformity assessment or written approval by the EU importer.
CUSTOM PACKAGING INQUIRY
Send product size, quantity and reference photos
Overseas orders are accepted. Buyers arrange the carrier and transport, with pickup from Lung-Lin after completion.