On May 25, 2016 the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) published a draft report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.
According to the rapporteur, Simona Bonafè, prevention and improvement of packaging should be the primary objective of a revision of the Directive in the line with the principles of the circular economy. Incentives for excessive packaging use imposed on the consumer should be removed and the design of packaging which can easily be recycled and/or re-used should be promoted. Additionally, research into as well as use and marketing of packaging made from renewable resources should be supported.
Regarding food packaging, the draft report amends that “the Commission shall assess by 31 December 2018 the use of environmentally friendly food packaging, including an assessment of the feasibility of gradually replacing food packaging with bio-based and/or biodegradable and compostable products in accordance with European standards.”
Read more
ENVI Committee (June 2, 2016). “Draft report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.” (pdf)
