# tiny e

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-e/184302>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 25, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-e/184302 "2003-06-25T15:21:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![RoyGBiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea5d25/32.png) [@RoyGBiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoyGBiv)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-e/184302/1 "2003-06-25T15:21:19Z")

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What does the tiny lowercase e on the packaging for cosmetics and lotions signify? I have seen this on many products from drugstore brands to high-end items and I have no idea what it means. Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-e/184302/2 "2003-06-25T17:50:09Z")

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Ah, nevermind.

-CLAYTON\_e  
(on the old software)

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**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-e/184302/3 "2003-06-25T17:57:02Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> The term “e” mark refers to the symbol “e” used in connection with the quantity declarations on labels of some consumer commodities marketed primarily in the European Community (EC). The “e” mark constitutes a representation by the packer or importer that the package to which it is applied has been filled in accordance with the average system of quantity specified by the EC. The average system is a method of declaring package fill in the EC and other countries of the world, including the United States.

From [here.](http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fpla/part500.htm)

and

> [@](#):
>
> What does the e mark mean?
> 
> The e mark is the symbol representing the Average Fill Regulations. Products with contents of 5 grams or greater must state the weight preceded by the e mark on the packaging. Products with contents less than 5 grams do not require the e mark.

From [Here](http://www.oriflame.com/product/faq/q18.html).

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**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-e/184302/4 "2003-06-25T19:46:58Z")

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“Hey there, tiny E.!”

“Man. . .that thing is huuuuuge.”

ôHe’s tiny Elviiiiiiiisô

Sorry.