Annex A3 – Abbreviations and symbols in common use

The most frequently used civil titles, measurement units, statistical symbols and abbreviations are presented here.

tip:

For advice on the use of abbreviations and symbols, please see Section 10.8.

1. Civil titles

2. Units of measurement

(written without points, they are not closed up to figures and take no plural)

mm: millimetre
cm: centimetre
cc: cubic centimetre (engines etc., but use cm³ in scientific and technical work)
m: metre (use m² not sq. m)
km: kilometre (use km² not sq. km)
km/h: kilometres per hour
mg: milligram
g: gram
kg: kilogram
t: tonne
GT: gross tonnage (shipping)
ml: millilitre
l: litre
hl: hectolitre
ha: hectare
s: second
min: minute
h or hr: hour
A: ampere
cd: candela
Hz: hertz
V: volt
W: watt
kW: kilowatt
MW: megawatt = 10³ kW
kWh: kilowatt-hour
GWh: gigawatt-hour = 10⁶ kWh
°C: degree Celsius
J: joule
n: nano-
N: newton
TJ: terajoule = 10⁹ kJ
tkm: tonne-kilometre
toe: tonne of oil equivalent

3. Statistical symbols and abbreviations

—: nil
0: negligible (generally less than half the smallest unit or decimal of the heading)
:: figure not available or secret
≠: not equal to
*: estimate
p: provisional figure
r: revised figure
| or —: discontinuity in series
⊥: break in comparability
%: percentage
% AT: percentage variation
D: difference
Ø: average
MP/ØP: weighted average
AM: average annual growth
<: less than
>: more than
S: total
∃: ‘comprising’: complete breakdown of a total
∋: ‘among which’: partial breakdown of a total
θ: world
m: million (spell out in full wherever possible)
nes: not elsewhere specified
p.m.: token entry
1990–1992: period of several calendar years (e.g. from 1.1.1990 to 31.12.1992)
1991/1992: period of 12 consecutive months (e.g. tax year from April to March)

4. Other abbreviations

EU-6: the first six countries of the EC
EU-9: the first nine countries of the EC
EU-10: the first 10 countries of the EC
EU-12: the first 12 countries of the EC
EU-15: the first 15 countries of the EU
EU-25: the first 25 countries of the EU
EU-27: Europe of the twenty-seven: refers either to the 27 Member States comprising the European Union between 1 January 2007 and 30 June 2013, or to the 27 Member States comprising the European Union since the departure of the United Kingdom on 31 January 2020. If there is a risk of confusion between the two, it should be specified which configuration is covered by the abbreviation used, possibly in the form of a footnote.
EU-28: the first 28 countries of the EU
FOB: free on board
CIF: cost, insurance and freight
psr: produced in specific regions (quality wines)
plc: public limited company
SA: société anonyme
SARL: société à responsabilité limitée
SPRL: société de personnes à responsabilité limitée
GmbH: Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
SNC: società in nome colletivo
SpA: società per azioni
BV: besloten vennootschap
NV: naamloze vennootschap

The following abbreviations are used mainly in footnotes and bibliographies; in running text the complete form is preferable: