Katrina Rosales
The EMB code is an effective way to date perfumes. In October 1978, the French government issued a law that mandated the inclusion of the EMB code on perfume packaging. The EMB code, followed by a five-digit number, indicates that the perfume was produced after 1978-1979. This code is specifically applicable to perfumes Made in France. The presence or absence of the EMB code, along with the barcode, provides valuable information about the production date of the perfume.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of EMB code | To help determine the date of manufacture of perfumes |
| Date of introduction of EMB code | October 1978 |
| Law behind EMB code | Arrêté du 20 octobre 1978 relatif au contrôle de certains métrologique préemballages |
| EMB code description | The word "EMB" followed by a five-digit code |
| Significance of EMB code | Helps to date perfumes before or after 1978-1979 |
| Use with barcode | EMB code along with barcode helps to date perfumes |
| EMB code validity | Only valid for "Made in France" products |
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What You'll Learn
The French law on perfume packaging
In October 1978, the French government passed a law regarding the packaging of perfumes produced in the country. The law, called "Arrêté du 20 octobre 1978 relatif au contrôle de certains métrologique préemballages" in French, required all perfumes made in France to display the word "EMB" followed by a five-digit code on their packaging. This code was intended to help with dating the perfumes and remained in use even after the introduction of barcodes in the late 1980s to early 1990s.
The EMB code serves two main purposes. Firstly, it helps to roughly determine the production date of a perfume. If a French perfume does not have the EMB code, it was likely produced before 1978-1979. If it has the EMB code but no barcode, it is likely from the 1980s. And if it has both the EMB code and a barcode, it is likely from the 1990s or later. This is especially useful when the batch code on the perfume has been erased or is no longer legible.
Secondly, the EMB code, along with the barcode, provides an effective way to date perfumes. By looking at the presence or absence of these codes, as well as the presence or absence of barcodes, collectors and consumers can narrow down the production date of a particular perfume. This is particularly useful for dating vintage perfumes and determining their value and authenticity.
While the EMB code is no longer a mandatory requirement on perfume packaging in France, it is still useful for dating older perfumes. Additionally, with the introduction of barcodes and other tracking technologies, perfumes can now be traced and dated more accurately. However, the original purpose and importance of the EMB code in the history of French perfume packaging should not be overlooked.
It is worth noting that, while perfume formulas and creations may be considered intellectual property, they do not fall under traditional copyright protection in France. This is due to the ephemeral nature of perfumes and the subjective experience of fragrance. However, some courts in France have recognized fragrances as artistic creations, expressing the personality of their authors and granting them certain protections under copyright law.
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The significance of EMB codes
In October 1978, the French government issued a law regarding packaging, retrospectively deemed significant in dating perfumes. Since 1978-1979, all perfumes "Made in France" have featured the word "EMB" followed by a five-digit code on the box. This EMB code, which stands for "Emballage Métrologique Contrôlé" or "Controlled Metrological Packaging", serves two essential purposes.
Firstly, it helps approximate the manufacturing date of a perfume. If a French perfume lacks the EMB code, it was likely produced before 1978-1979. The presence of the EMB code without a barcode indicates production in the 1980s, while the inclusion of both the EMB code and barcode suggests a post-1989-1990 manufacturing date. This dating method proves useful when the batch code is illegible or missing.
Secondly, the EMB code, in conjunction with the barcode, offers an effective dating system for perfumes. The combination of these codes enables a more precise determination of the production date, especially when used alongside other information sources like photographs.
The EMB code is unique to perfumes manufactured in France and should not be confused with the "REF" or "reference" code commonly found on perfume boxes. While the requirement for EMB codes on perfume packaging in France remains unclear, these codes continue to provide valuable insights into the production dates of vintage French perfumes.
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Dating perfumes with EMB codes
In October 1978, the French government issued a law about packages, namely "Arrêté du 20 octobre 1978 relatif au contrôle de certains métrologique préemballages", which retrospectively turned out to be of great importance in dating perfumes. The law mandated that all "Made in France" perfumes sport the word "EMB" followed by a five-digit code on the box. This EMB code has been used to date perfumes to either before or after 1978-1979.
If a French perfume does not have the EMB code, it was manufactured before 1978-1979. If it has the EMB code but no barcode, it is from the 1980s. If the barcode is present, with or without the EMB code, the perfume is from after 1989-1990. This method of dating perfumes is useful when the batch code is erased.
The EMB code, along with the classic barcode, is a simple yet effective way of dating perfumes. It is important not to confuse the EMB code with the "REF" or "reference" word, always reported on the box, and to remember that the EMB code is only valid for "Made in France" products.
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The evolution of perfume packaging in France
Ancient Times to the 1970s
Evidence suggests that the art of perfumery and the use of fragrances originated in ancient civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Rome. Over the centuries, the containers for these fragrances evolved from wooden and clay vessels to colourful glass bottles and hollowed-out precious stones. The late 19th century marked a significant era in the modern perfume industry due to advances in organic chemistry.
The EMB Code Era: 1978-1979 Onwards
In October 1978, the French government introduced a law ("Arrêté du 20 octobre 1978 relatif au contrôle de certains métrologique préemballages") that required all "Made in France" perfumes to bear the letters "EMB" followed by a five-digit code on their packaging. This EMB code served two important purposes: dating perfumes and authenticating their origin. Perfumes without the EMB code are identified as pre-1978/1979, while those with the code but lacking a barcode are from the 1980s.
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Today, the design of perfume bottles is considered an art form, with glass being the most popular material for custom perfume bottles due to its environmental friendliness and aesthetic appeal. Manufacturers like B.I. Packaging offer various neck sizes and cap designs, including acrylic, Surlyn resin, wood, zamac, and leather options. The Grasse region in France remains the centre of the European perfume industry, continuing to shape the evolution of perfume packaging in the country and beyond.
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Alternatives to EMB codes for dating perfumes
In October 1978, the French government issued a law that required all "Made in France" perfumes to have the word "EMB" followed by a five-digit code on their packaging. This law remained in place until at least the introduction of barcodes in 1989-1999, and possibly beyond.
The EMB code is an important tool for roughly dating perfumes. If a French perfume does not have an EMB code, it is from before 1978-1979. If it has an EMB code but no barcode, it is from the 1980s. If it has a barcode (with or without an EMB code), it is from after 1989-1990.
However, as an alternative to relying solely on EMB codes, there are a few other methods that can be used to date perfumes:
- Batch codes: These are typically printed or engraved on the perfume bottle or packaging and can be used to look up the production date of the perfume. Batch codes are usually a combination of letters and numbers and can be decoded using online resources or by contacting the perfume manufacturer.
- Barcodes: As mentioned earlier, barcodes were introduced in the late 1980s to early 1990s and can be used as a dating tool. By cross-referencing the barcode with production records or databases, you can often narrow down the date of production.
- Packaging design: Over time, perfume brands often update their packaging designs, including the shape of the bottle, the colour scheme, and the label design. By researching the different iterations of packaging for a particular perfume, you can estimate its age.
- Formula and ingredients: Perfumes may be reformulated over time due to changes in ingredient availability, regulatory requirements, or brand preferences. By analysing the ingredients listed on the perfume's packaging or by comparing the scent to known formulations, you may be able to determine an approximate date range.
- Limited editions and special releases: Some perfumes are released as limited editions or special editions to commemorate a particular event or occasion. By researching the event and the perfume release, you can often pinpoint the date of production.
- Vintage perfume guides and databases: There are online communities, forums, and databases dedicated to vintage perfumes, where enthusiasts and experts share their knowledge and resources. By consulting these resources, you may be able to find specific information about the dating of a particular perfume.
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Frequently asked questions
In October 1978, the French government issued a law that required all "Made in France" perfumes to have the word "EMB" followed by a five-digit code on their packaging. The EMB code is useful for dating perfumes, especially when the batch code is erased.
If a French perfume does not have an EMB code, it was manufactured before 1978-1979. If it has an EMB code but no barcode, it is from the 1980s. If the barcode is present (with or without the EMB code), it is from 1989-1990 onwards.
Yes, there are other indicators that can help determine the age of a perfume bottle. For example, the shape of the bottle, the type of labelling, and the presence of lot numbers or patent numbers can all provide clues about the age of the perfume.
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