Abstract
European Environment & Packaging Law, published weekly online and in print,
provides a comprehensive, up-to-date and expert "one-stop" report on news and
developments in European environment and packaging policy. Our experienced
team of reporters based in the hub of EU decisionmaking in Brussels keeps you
up-to-date with the latest developments from the Commission, European
Parliament and Council. Our team also keeps pace with the latest from the
European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki as well as tracking key developments in
the member states.
REACH implementation and the European Chemicals Agency
Implementation and revision of existing legislation will tax both EU
decision-makers and industry over the coming months. The REACH chemicals
regulation, the EU' s most significant environmental law for 20 years, is now
being implemented and the European Chemicals Agency starting its work, but not
without a few hiccups. Controversy started with the appointment of the
Executive Director. Currently its proposed fees are being met with fierce
industry opposition, while member states are worried about the REACH IT system
not being ready in time. Member states are also criticising the Commission for
not being strict enough in its interpretation of certain provisions of the
Regulation.
Revision of the waste framework directive
The European Parliament and Council are embroiled in the final negotiations on
the revision of the waste framework directive, with the main sticking point
being prevention and recycling targets. Future by-product rules in the
directive are also proving tricky to draw up.
Revision of the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) directive
Another revision coming in 2008 is the waste electrical and electronic
equipment (WEEE) directive. Slow progress in the member states in implementing
the directive as well as significant compliance problems, means the review
could well be a total "root and branch" reform. The Commission is promising
simplification.
The Emissions Trading System - revision, legal challenges to national allocation plans and extension to other sectors
The revision of the EU Emissions Trading System is likely to bring fireworks.
With a recent court judgement overturning the Commission' s decision to stop
Germany altering emissions permits once its national allocation plan was in
place, other member states could now seek a ruling on their plans for ex-post
adjustments and force through provisions allowing the practice in the
revision. National bans on genetically modified organisms as well as
difficulties clearing new approvals will continue to embarrass the Commission
on the international stage and challenge it within Europe.
Car emissions / Binding renewable and energy efficiency targets
New proposals will emerge too. Early in 2008 the Commission will propose a
binding carbon dioxide emissions reduction target for cars. On 23 January the
European Commission proposed binding renewable energy and energy efficiency
targets for member states, showing the percentage each will have to contribute
to the EU' s overall 20 per cent targets for 2020 under a burden sharing
arrangement. The proposal evoked a flood of reactions from member states and
industry. Although the Commission would like the member states to adopt the
package by 2009, it will be interesting to see to what extent it will be
watered down during the co-decision procedure.
National legislation and developments in the member states
Over the coming months the European Parliament and Council will continue their
discussions on some significant proposals currently going through the
legislative process including fuel quality, pesticides, mercury, chemical
imports and exports, emissions trading for aviation, soil, rules for lobbyists
and environmental crime.
Sustainable development
Under the legislative microscope will be sustainable development and climate
issues, biofuels, and upcoming action plans on sustainable consumption and
production, introducing measures that include environmental costs in product
prices, and on sustainable industrial policy.
Implementation of the packaging and packaging waste directive
The packaging industry, already hit by Germany' s punitive mandatory deposit
scheme, has plenty of other issues to worry about. In Germany self-complying
schemes look set to go out of business following the Government' s "fifth
amendment" stating that all sales packaging must participate in a dual system.
Turning to Benelux, Dutch packaging manufacturers are up in arms over the new
¬ 250 million "carbon tax" and the continuing deposit scheme for large PET
bottles. Belgium is continuing to fight the threat of an ecotax, not to
mention the call for industry to pay all packaging costs in the long awaited
interregional packaging agreement - now expected before the summer.
Industry, encouraged at least by the Commission' s commitment to make more
effort to punish countries that cause barriers to trade in the drinks sector,
is hoping that Hungary' s excessive packaging tax will be overturned and is
furious about proposed plans to set a deposit scheme in the Czech Republic.
So, while the European Commission may not be planning to revise the packaging
recovery and recycling targets until 2010, industry has its work cut out to
combat other packaging measures - and European Environment & Packaging Law
will keep you informed of the latest developments in packaging and all other
environmental matters.
News from Brussels
Each issue of European Environment & Packaging Law reports on the progress of
directives, regulations and other initiatives to ensure you are up-to-date
with all the latest news, analysis and comment on European environment policy
and the revised European Packaging and Waste Directive.
Country Reports
Legislation on packaging, waste and the environment continues to provide some
of the most complex and controversial issues in the European Union. Each of
the 25 member states must implement and comply with EU Directives on
packaging, waste and the environment and incorporate EU legislation into
national laws. European Environment & Packaging Law guides you through the
variety of regulatory systems in member states and explains their impact.
Industry News and Comment
We consider the implications of new European and national laws, assess
industry reaction and look at the subsequent impact of the legislation.
Some of the organisations already benefiting from European Environment & Packaging Law include:
- European Commission
- Siemens AG
- Repak Limited
- Coca Cola
- Danisco
- Valpak Ltd
- European Aluminium Association
- Keller and Heckman
- Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry
- BASF AG
- Hill & Knowlton
- And many more!
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