ASTM D7611/D7611M-20

Standard Practice for Coding Plastic Manufactured Articles for Resin Identification

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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.
SCOPE
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.
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2019
• ICS: 83.140.01 - Rubber and plastics products in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.95 - Recycled Plastics

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D7611/D7611M −20
Standard Practice for
Coding Plastic Manufactured Articles for Resin
1
Identification
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7611/D7611M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 3. Terminology
1.1 This practice stipulates the types, names, and sizes of 3.1 Definitions:
Codes for those material types specified in Table 1. 3.1.1 Resin Identification Code (RIC Code)—a molded,
imprinted or raised symbol or wording that consists of an
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
equilateral triangle, a Resin Identification Number, and an
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
Abbreviated Term for polymeric material.
each system are likely not to be exact equivalents; therefore,
each system shall be used independently of the other. Combin-
4. Significance and Use
ing values from the two systems is likely to result in non-
4.1 ResinIdentificationCodesareusedsolelytoidentifythe
conformance with the standard.
plastic resin used in a manufactured article. The intended
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
manufactured articles include, but are not limited to, packag-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ing.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1.1 Fig. 1 and Table 1 present the appropriate information
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
on the way the RIC is to be incorporated onto the product and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the available resin identification designations.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
4.2 Resin Identification Codes are not “recycle codes.” The
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Resin Identification Code is, though, an aid to recycling. The
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
use of a Resin Identification Code on a manufactured plastic
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
article does not imply that the article is recycled or that there
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
are systems in place to effectively process the article for
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
reclamation or re-use. The term “recyclable” or other environ-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
mental claims shall not be placed in proximity to the Code.
4.3 This practice is based upon the system developed in
2. Referenced Documents
1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc (SPI). It is
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
possible that some states or countries will have incorporated
D3418 Test Method for Transition Temperatures and En-
the original SPI practice into statute or regulation. In those
thalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by
situations, that statute or regulation takes precedence over this
Differential Scanning Calorimetry
standard.
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
4.4 This practice shall only apply to new tooling. Existing
Adjunct to D7611/D7611M Standard Practice for Coding
3 molds that already incorporate older versions of the SPI RIC
Plastic Manufactured Articles for Resin Identification
may be modified, but modification is not required.
4.5 Assign number for manufactured items, not for adhe-
1
sives or coatings. Do not code labels for resin of the label.
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.95 on Recycled Plastics.
4.6 Section 6 addresses the process to add new numbers to
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2020. Published January 2020. Originally
the Resin Identification Code.
approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D7611/D7611M – 19.
DOI:10.1520/D7611_D7611M-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5. Requirements
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 5.1 The Code is to be molded, formed or imprinted on the
the ASTM website.
manufactured article.
3
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
ADJD761114-EA. Original adjunct produced in 2010.Adjunct last revised in 2014. 5.2 The Code shall be clear and legible.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D7611/D7611M−20
TABLE 1 Resin Ident
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D7611/D7611M − 19 D7611/D7611M − 20
Standard Practice for
Coding Plastic Manufactured Articles for Resin
1
Identification
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7611/D7611M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
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.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3418 Test Method for Transition Temperatures and Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by Differential
Scanning Calorimetry
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
3
Adjunct to D7611/D7611M Standard Practice for Coding Plastic Manufactured Articles for Resin Identification
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Resin Identification Code (RIC Code)—a molded, imprinted or raised symbol or wording that consists of an equilateral
triangle, a Resin Identification Number, and an Abbreviated Term for polymeric material.
4. Significance and Use
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.
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.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.95 on Recycled Plastics.
Current edition approved June 1, 2019Jan. 1, 2020. Published June 2019January 2020. Originally approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 20182019 as
D7611/D7611M - 18. DOI:10.1520/D7611_D7611M-19.– 19. DOI:10.1520/D7611_D7611M-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD761114-EA. Original adjunct produced in 2010. Adjunct last revised in 2014.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7611/D7611M − 20
TABLE 1 Resin Identification Codes
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.
2

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
D7611/D7611M − 20
FIG. 1 Example of a Resin Identification Marker
4.4 This practice sha
...