The EC recently issued its long-awaited report on the implementation of the EU Directive on packaging & packaging waste, which can be downloaded from: ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/packaging_index.htm - Overall, the container glass industry can be satisfied with the report, given what might have been. The following points are highlighted: No new EU legislative proposals in connection with this Directive, for the time being; No further reduction of heavy metal limits; Weight-related prevention targets would disadvantage heavier but not necessarily less environmentally friendly packaging materials. It seems currently neither possible nor appropriate to proposed harmonised measures to encourage reusable consumer beverage packaging at the Community level; Existing recycling/recovery targets to be maintained well beyond beyond 2008; Weight reduction of packaging should not be an objective in itself, but reducing environmental impacts related to product-packaging systems throughout their life cycle. No "Packaging Environment Indicator" to be introduced as a regulatory tool; Recognition of internal market problems resulting from "unilateral measures adopted in different Member States" & commitment to react on any measures that risk disrupting the internal market and are not environmentally justified
