4.1 Resin Identification Codes are used solely to identify the plastic resin used in a manufactured article. The intended manufactured articles include, but are not limited to, packaging.

4.1.1 Fig. 1 and Table 1 present the appropriate information on the way the RIC is to be incorporated onto the product and the available resin identification designations.

FIG. 1 Example of a Resin Identification Marker

4.2 Resin Identification Codes are not “recycle codes.” The Resin Identification Code is, though, an aid to recycling. The use of a Resin Identification Code on a manufactured plastic article does not imply that the article is recycled or that there are systems in place to effectively process the article for reclamation or re-use. The term “recyclable” or other environmental claims shall not be placed in proximity to the Code.

4.3 This practice is based upon the system developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc (SPI). It is possible that some states or countries will have incorporated the original SPI practice into statute or regulation. In those situations, that statute or regulation takes precedence over this standard.

4.4 This practice shall only apply to new tooling. Existing molds that already incorporate older versions of the SPI RIC may be modified, but modification is not required.

4.5 Assign number for manufactured items, not for adhesives or coatings. Do not code labels for resin of the label.

4.6 Section 6 addresses the process to add new numbers to the Resin Identification Code.

1.1 This practice stipulates the types, names, and sizes of Codes for those material types specified in Table 1.

1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are likely not to be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems is likely to result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.