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that a unique terminology and mode of naming is used to identify, qualify, and distinguish the members of this polymer family and their particularities. A polymer can be systematically named using either the ‘Structure-based’ or the ‘Source-based’ nomenclature systems extended to non-linear macromolecules. Both systems are general and enable the naming of most organic polymers. However, in the case of chiral aliphatic polymers based on lactic acid enantiomers, academic and patent literatures can be confusing, because specialists as well as non-specialists frequently use diff erent names and abbreviations that do not respect the particularities originating from the source and structure-dependent factors aff ecting material and degradation properties. In order to facilitate an effi cient exchange of accurate information, the IUPAC Subcommittee on Polymer Terminology prepared the present recommendations, which provide the nomenclature and terminology rules and the abbreviations to be respected in all fi elds concerned with the science and the applications of these degradable polymers.