The European Tissue Symposium (ETS), together with Cepi, has developed a unified set of definitions and statistical guidelines for the tissue industry, following an intensive collaboration between industry experts and national associations. This initiative aims to eliminate confusion caused by inconsistent terminology and improve the accuracy of production, trade, and consumption data across Europe.
The result: a clear, industry-wide distinction between tissue paper (intermediate products) and tissue products (finished goods), aligned with international standards like ISO 12625-1:2019. The recommendations also propose a harmonised approach to customs codes and trade reporting — making data more reliable and comparable across national markets.
The project began in early 2024 with the formation of a joint Cepi-ETS task force composed of experts from leading tissue manufacturers, national associations and the two organisations themselves. The aim was to eliminate discrepancies in terminology that had created confusion in reporting production and trade figures.
The stakeholders will now work with partners around the world – “including AF&PA in the United States, FPAC in Canada, CNHPIA in China, and JPA in Japan” – to promote this harmonised definitions globally.
