ETS and Cepi introduce harmonized terminology framework for the tissue industry

The European Tissue Symposium (ETS) and Cepi, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, have jointly announced the successful completion of a comprehensive project to harmonize tissue industry terminology. The initiative, finalized in July 2025, aims to bring clarity and consistency to how tissue products are defined and categorized, not only in Europe, but potentially across global markets.

The effort responds to long-standing inconsistencies in tissue statistics, trade data, and product classification that have complicated communication across technical, commercial, and media contexts.

Two detailed infographics, now available on the ETS website, visually map the new harmonized terms alongside legacy and alternative nomenclature. One infographic covers tissue paper (intermediate products) and the other tissue products (finished converted goods).

“This terminology guide was motivated by the inconsistency in tissue statistics and terminology in Europe and around the world”, said Carlos Reinoso, Director General of ETS. “It is a non-confidential resource, created to streamline communication across technical commercial and media contexts, and could not have been achieved without the close involvement of Cepi and its National Association members”.

The guide is expected to become the default reference for all future reporting, specifications, and publications within the industry. ETS and Cepi are actively promoting the framework to stakeholders including companies, consultants, media, and analysts.

The harmonized framework aligns with ISO 12625-1:2019 and covers key areas such as:

• Terminology alignment
• Clarification of product segmentation
• Customs code harmonization

“The harmonisation that the new terminology introduces supports a more unified EU Single Market, at a time when there is a new push for it from EU Institutions”, said Jori Ringman, Director General of Cepi. He emphasized the importance of widespread and immediate adoption across the industry.

The terminology alignment process began in early 2024, through a joint Cepi-ETS task force involving experts from major tissue companies and national associations. The initiative was partly driven by lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the need for more transparent and comparable industry data.

ETS and Cepi now plan to collaborate with international organizations such as AF&PA (U.S.), FPAC (Canada), CNHPIA (China) and JPA (Japan) to promote adoption of the terminology on a global scale.

“We will now be working in coordination with our counterparts around the world including AF&PA in the US, FPAC in Canada, CNHPIA in China and JPA in Japan to promote this harmonised framework internationally to support global statistical alignment and trade transparency”, Reinoso concluded.