Global consumer packaging group Rexam has welcomed the announcement on 20 October 2004 from the EU Commission which states that Germany will be referred to the European Court of Justice unless it meet…
Global consumer packaging group Rexam has welcomed the announcement on 20 October 2004 from the EU Commission which states that Germany will be referred to the European Court of Justice unless it meets the requirement of establishing the conditions for an effective, simple and non-discriminatory deposit system. This follows on from the decision of the Bundesrat on 15 October 2004 to clarify the deposit regulations. Rexam said it believes the preconditions for a national return system for one-way beverage packaging in Germany are now “the most positive they have been since the introduction of the deposit on one-way beverage packaging in January 2003.” Commenting on the announcement, Lars Emilson, Rexam“s Chief Executive, said: “This is another piece of encouraging news for one-way beverage packaging in Germany. The EU will be expecting Germany to move purposefully towards a nationwide return system, as opposed to the patchwork of non-compatible systems that exists at the moment, which effectively act as a barrier to the free movement of beverages. With Rexam“s experience of well functioning deposit systems in other European countries and North America, I am confident that we can assist as a proactive partner in helping establish a system that will meet the requirements of German retailers and consumers, our customers, the environment and not least the EU Commission.”