Estimated Sign

The estimated sign, ℮, also referred to as the e-mark, is a mark that can be found on some pre-packed goods in Europe. The estimated sign indicates that the packaging is filled according to the European Directive 76/211/EEC.

The scope of the directive is limited to packaging that has a predetermined nominal quantity of 5 grams (0.18 oz) to 10 kilograms (22 lb) or 5 millilitres (0.18 imp fl oz; 0.17 US fl oz) to 10 litres (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal), is filled without the purchaser present and of which the quantity cannot be altered without opening or destroying the packing material.

The estimated sign indicates that:

  • the average quantity of product in a batch of packages shall not be less than the nominal quantity stated on the label;
  • the proportion of packages having a negative error greater than the tolerable negative error shall be sufficiently small for batches of packages to satisfy the requirements of the official reference test as specified in legislation;
  • none of the packages marked have a negative error greater than twice the tolerable negative error (since no such package may bear the estimated sign).

The tolerable negative error is related to the nominal quantity and varies between 9% on packages nominally 50 g (1.8 oz) or 50 ml (1.8 imp fl oz; 1.7 US fl oz) or less, to 1.5% on packages nominally 1 kg (2.2 lb) or 1 l (0.22 imp gal; 0.26 US gal) or more. The tolerable error decreases as nominal quantity increases, and is done by alternating intervals where there is a fixed error (and thus over the interval the percentage error decreases) with intervals where there is a percentage error.

The mark looks like a stylised lower-case "e" and its shape, ℮, is precisely defined by an EU directive. It must be placed in the same field of vision as the nominal quantity. The sign has been added to the Unicode list of characters at position U+212E.

The estimated sign may be printed on a package if:

  • the quantity of product in the package and its labelling meet the requirements, and
  • the packer either measures the content of each package or carries out production checks in accordance with procedures recognized by the competent departments in the member state, and
  • the packer holds at the disposal of those departments the documents containing the results of such checks and corrections and adjustments that have been shown to be necessary.

Read more about Estimated Sign:  Tolerable Negative Error, In Computer Software

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