Germany's new labelling amendment is a 'ludicrous trade barrier', says expert

摘要

Germany's latest move on the mandatory deposit front - a proposal to label drinks packages with "reusable" or "non-reusable" - is a "ludicrous trade barrier" and unlikely to be adopted, Bob Schmitz, legal expert, has said.rnThe Order, notified on 24 September to the European Commission and "on standstill" (allowing time for objections or comments) until 28 December, obliges companies responsible for bringing drinks packaging on which a deposit is charged to the market for the first time to label this packaging "REUSABLE" or "NON-REUSABLE" and stipulates the size of the lettering.rnA German Environment Ministry spokesman told EE&PL that the main priority of the amendment was to improve transparency -helping consumers to decide between one way and reusable packaging. "Consumers think that bottles carrying a deposit are always reusable," the spokesman added. "Putting a clear difference between the two will help to combat this irritation."