You’ve probably seen labelling and marking symbols on boxes, bags and tapes. Some speak for themselves, but there are others that are more difficult to decipher. In this post we explain them all so that packaging symbols no longer hold any secrets for you.

Symbol guides on packaging

► Environment and recycling

These logos make it easier to identify packaging, help you to know how environmentally friendly it is, where it comes from and whether it can be recycled.

	This is certainly one of the most common symbols on packaging. The number indicates the percentage of recycled material in the product. The logo was designed in the late 1970s by American Gary Anderson and is now used worldwide as a symbol for recycling.
	If you want to know if you are dealing with a fully recyclable product, look for this symbol. This is the case, for example, with our EcoResponsible packaging products .
	Do you often see the RESY symbol? This symbol is awarded by the RESY Organisation for the Regulation and Evaluation of Materials. The number below the arrows indicates the company number.
	The Forest Stewardship Council or FSC is an organisation that ensures that forests around the world are managed responsibly. Paper and wood with this logo meet FSC standards.
	The EU Ecolabel is a quality mark awarded by the European Union to products that are better for the environment without compromising quality. Due to very strict requirements, only 10% to 20% of the products on the European market carry this label.
	This label certifies products bearing the label that their ingredients and the product itself are fully compostable and biodegradable.
	This symbol refers to ISPM15, which stands for the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures. This standard stipulates that both pallet wood and packaging wood in general have been disinfected at high temperatures. This prevents the spread of harmful organisms from one continent to another.
	The PEFC is a certification awarded by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, its aim is to have a sustainable forest management, so products from renewable materials made from wood obtained from a sustainable forest have this symbol.
	Symbol identifies electrical and electronic products with the obligation to be separated for proper recycling.
	On our website www.rajapack.es and catalogue you will know if a product is environmentally friendly thanks to this symbol.

► Raw materials

Pictograms to help you identify the type of material in your packaging. The plastics industry created a system to identify plastic materials in order to facilitate sorting and recycling:

	PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate. This raw material is mainly used to make transparent plastic bottles, for example. The arrows around the symbol indicate that this raw material is recyclable. This also applies to the raw materials below in this list.
	High-density polyethylene is referred to with this symbol. This rigid material is very strong, water-repellent and opaque (comparable to milk glass). It is mainly used to make rubbish bags, heavy-duty plastic bags and water drums that can be punched.
	The next raw material on our list is polyvinyl chloride or PVC. It is a stable, durable, lightweight and long-lasting plastic that lasts a long time and can be reused after recycling.
	PE-LD stands for low-density polyethylene. This material is transparent, fairly soft and tough and is made from petroleum. As PE-HD is more robust, this material is therefore easily recyclable. This plastic can withstand temperatures up to +80°C.
	PP stands for polypropylene. Polypropylene has a much higher strength than polyethylene and is therefore one of the most widely used plastics. Polypropylene is hardly deformable, very strong, corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant and chemical-resistant.
	Polystyrene or PS is a type of polystyrene with insulating properties. This plastic is water-repellent and can also be easily recycled due to its robustness and can last for years.
	Polyurethane or PUR is a type of rigid foam. It does not contain CFCs and is therefore also environmentally friendly. It is often used in the construction industry, but also in the packaging world in the form of expanded foam.

► Quality labels and shipping

	CE stands for European Conformity and is awarded to products that comply with the standards applicable within the European Economic Area (i.e. the European Union plus Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland).
	Products with this label must meet the strict requirements and tests set by the UN. You may see this unique UN symbol on, among other things, certain plastic bags, drums, etc.
	You will see this symbol on packaging with an anti-static property. This type of packaging retains little static electricity and is not very conductive. Necessary for shipping electrically sensitive electronic equipment.
	This is one of the symbols used to indicate which side a box should be oriented on. This symbol is usually accompanied by the phrase “This side up”. The variant with black arrows is usually for the transport of liquids.
	Have you seen this symbol? Then it means that the contents of the package are sensitive to moisture, so watch out for water!
	This label makes it clear that boxes should not be stacked and weight should not be left on top of them. This type of label is useful for very delicate products.
	To make it clear that your products are fragile or very fragile, it is best to use this packaging symbol. Underneath the cup, you can often read“fragile”.
	When you see this label on a package, you are handling a fragile and delicate product, so handle it with care!

Transport of dangerous goods

The following set of symbols on the packaging require extra attention. They indicate that the package contains hazardous products. It is therefore advisable to wear safety gloves and protective clothing when handling them. You can see, below, the hazardous products you might be dealing with:

Flammable gases	Flammable liquids	Flammable solid substances
Toxic substances	Corrosive substances	Various hazardous substances and articles
Environmentally hazardous substances	Dangerous substances in limited quantities (air transport)	Dangerous substances in limited quantity (road and rail transport)