LOTSA (London Trading Standards Authorities) has published the results of a national consumer survey conducted by Mintel into what consumers thought was `acceptable packaging' on a range of products. The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003, with which all new packaging must comply, is intended to reduce levels of packaging, but is contingent on what is `acceptable' to consumers. The key findings are: 93% of consumers agree that manufacturers should be encouraged to reduce the amount of packaging used on products; 75% would accept less packaging on an Easter egg; 55% thought that packaging often gives a misleading impression of the amount of goods inside; 51% feel that products at Christmas are over packaged; almost 75% of the Londoners surveyed would like to see reduced packaging on food products sold in supermarkets.
