Germany's new packaging amendment increases trade barriers, says legal expert

摘要

Germany's new notification on packaging is even more discriminatory, by adding two new categories "biodegradable" (1) and "cylinder" packaging (e.g. cardboard tubes) to the "environmentally favourable" status [exempt from the mandatory one-way drinks deposit], a leading packaging expert has said, in a letter pointing out his "fundamental concerns" to the European Commission.rnThe main purpose of Germany's fifth amendment (see EE &PL 16 November, 2007, pl-3), notified to the Commission in September, to ensure that all sales packaging must be covered by a separate collection (dual) system, is welcomed by industry. However Bob Schmitz, legal expert and long time campaigner for the drinks industry, said in a 12 November letter to DG Enterprise that it still constitutes a trade barrier under the packaging directive 94/62/EC.