European packaging sustainability association Europen has launched a completely revised edition of its “indispensable guide” to European legislation affecting the impact of packaging and packaged goods on the environment.
The guide – ‘European and National Legislation on Packaging and the Environment’ – takes account of relevant EU policy developments and voluntary initiatives, as well as changes introduced at national level since the previous edition was published in 2007.
“Both the strategy of our industry on sustainability and the legislation have moved on significantly since the guide was last published five years ago,” says Europen MD Veronique Bagge.
“For Europen’s multinational members, a clear understanding of both European and national legislation is crucial to their business.”
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC is the key European legislation in this area – its twin objectives, says Europen, were to provide a high level of environmental protection and avoid obstacles to trade and competitive restrictions or distortions in the European market.
Europen emphasises that every company operating in Europe is affected by this legislation and by the adaptation of its requirements into national law in each EU Member State.
The new Europen guide contains an analysis and interpretation of the overarching legal setting in which the industry operates, and an explanation of the CEN harmonised standards.
As legislation regarding packaging is also constantly evolving in the 27 Member States, the guide also lays out country-by-country the relevant legislation.
“I believe the industry is taking great strides in sustainability, and the up to date information and analysis in this guide can help us make things better, together,” says Bagge.
Free to Europen members, the publication – compiled using information provided by sustainability consultants Perchards – can be downloaded in full for €70 (hard-copy) or €60 (electronic version) by non-members via the association’s website (see link, below right). Sample pages are available free of charge.
