Crosscutting Classification Systems
4.2 Crosscutting Classification Systems
Section titled “4.2 Crosscutting Classification Systems”1The following classification systems provide the structured taxonomies to support consistent data collection across different aspects of the plastics life cycle. Several classification systems are relevant to multiple stages of the supply-chain. Table 4.2 illustrates which classification systems are applicable to different types of plastic data collection, with systems ordered to match the document structure.
2The most universally used systems are those with legal mandates - particularly HS codes for trade data, NAICS/ISIC for production data, and the Basel Convention for waste management. Other key drivers for adoption of classification include international body enforcement (e.g., from the UN), regular updates (to maintain relevance), clear implementation guidance and electronic systems for usability.
3Table 4.2. Descriptions of classification systems
| Method | Description | Key Codes/Categories for Plastics |
|---|---|---|
| PRODUCTION CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS | ||
| International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) (Used for: Production, Consumption) | Global system organising economic activities UN-endorsed standard; most countries have adapted ISIC for national use | Division 20: ‘Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products’ • 20.13: Manufacture of plastics in primary forms (and synthetic rubber) Division 22: ‘Manufacture of rubber and plastics products’ • 22.20: Manufacture of plastic products Division 38: ‘Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities; materials recovery’ • 38.30: Recovery of sorted materials (including plastic recycling) |
| North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) (Used for: Production, Consumption) | Used in US, Canada, and Mexico; Six-digit code system for classifying business activities. Required by law for business establishments in North America Adopted in 1997 to replace Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system | 325211: Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing 326: Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing 326199: All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing |
| PRODCOM (PRODuction COMmunautaire) (Used for: Production) | EU system for industrial production statistics with 8-digit codes; First 4 digits reference the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities (NACE) Mandatory for EU countries, Iceland, and Norway (via EEA Agreement) Required under European business statistics regulation | Division 20: Manufacture of chemicals Division 22: Manufacture of rubber and plastic products The current PRODCOM plastics data codes (Divisions 20 and 22) can be found in Eurostat’s official PRODCOM List (current edition). |
| UN Industrial Commodity Statistics Database (Used for: Production, Consumption) | Provides annual production data for major commodities in standardised units Used primarily for international statistical compilation | Primary plastic materials production Manufactured plastic products Industrial processing quantities |
| Central Product Classification (CPC) (Used for: Production, Consumption and Trade) | Focuses on products rather than industries; Tracks plastics across the value chain | In division 34 ‘Basic chemicals’ • Group 347: Plastics in primary forms In division 36 ‘Rubber and plastics products’ • Group 363: Semi-manufactures of plastics • Group 364: Packaging products of plastics • Group 369: Other plastic products |
| Plastic-KEYs (Used for: Production, Consumption and Trade) | Classification system developed by UNITAR for finished products; 65 keys aggregated into 8 groups based on function, material composition, and end-of-life attributes No identified legal mandate | Eight Plastic-KEY Groups: P1: Packaging P2: Transport P3: Building and construction P4: Electrical and electronic equipment P5: Consumer and institutional products P6: Industrial machinery P7: Apparel and textile furnishing articles P8: Other |
| TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS | ||
| Harmonised System (HS) (Used for: Trade) | Foundation for trade data with 6-digit codes; Countries can add more digits for national detail; Approximately 5,300 article/product descriptions | Chapter 39: • 39.01-39.14: Primary forms of plastics • 39.15: Plastic waste and scrap • 39.16-39.26: Plastic products • Upcoming: the WCO’s HS 2028 edition (in force 1 January 2028) restructures heading 39.15 into subheadings distinguishing hazardous, PIC-controlled, and other plastic waste, and adds a new Chapter 39 legal note covering single-use plastic products |
| Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) (Used for: Trade) | Organises by processing level; Hierarchical organisation with 5 levels (from 1-digit sections to 5-digit basic headings) | Division 57: Plastics in primary forms Division 58: Plastics in non-primary forms SITC 893: Articles of plastic |
| Broad Economic Categories (BEC) (Used for: Consumption and Trade) | UN classification that groups commodities according to their main end use; Allows analysis of trade flows by three basic classes of goods | Three basic classes: • Capital goods • Intermediate goods • Consumption goods |
| Combined Nomenclature (CN) (Used for: Trade) | SEU-specific 8-digit codes for detailed classification of extra-EU transactions; Builds upon the HS system Mandatory for EU trade statistics and customs | [Builds on HS system] |
| UNCTAD Plastic Trade Classification (Used for: Trade) | Specialised classification for tracking global plastic trade flows | [Not specified in document] |
| WASTE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS | ||
| Basel Convention Classification (Used only for Trade of waste) | Regulates transboundary movements of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes including plastic waste; Takes effect January 1, 2021 with new requirements for plastic waste; Technical Guidelines on the environmentally sound management of plastic wastes most recently updated by COP-16 (2023), decision BC-16/4 190 countries and the European Commission are parties | Specific entries for plastic waste: • Entry Y48 in Annex II • Entry A3210 in Annex VIII • Entry B3011 in Annex IX |
| European List of Waste (LoW) (Used for: Waste) | Mandatory across all EU member states Required under EU Waste Framework Directive Comprehensive waste classification with 6-digit EWC codes | Eight codes for non-hazardous plastic waste • Eight codes for non-hazardous plastic waste • 15 01 02: Plastic packaging • 02 01 04: Waste plastics (except packaging) from agriculture, horticulture, etc. • 07 02 13: Waste plastics from plastics manufacturing • 12 01 05: Plastics shavings and turnings • 16 01 19: Plastics from end-of-life vehicles • 17 02 03: Plastics from construction and demolition • 19 12 04: Plastics and rubber from mechanical treatment of waste • 20 01 39: Plastics from separately collected municipal waste fractions |
| European Waste Classification for Statistics (EWC-Stat) (Used for: Waste) | Statistical reporting system for Eurostat; Hierarchical structure with main categories and sub-categories Mandatory across all EU member states Required under EU Waste Framework Directive | Key categories for plastics: • 07.4: Plastic waste • 07.4.1: Plastic packaging waste • 07.4.2: Other plastic wastes |