IK criticises the launch of the single-use plastics directive
The EU Commission has today published the guidelines on the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, which were originally announced for July 2020. They are intended to clarify which products are covered by the directive.
31 May 2021
(Image: Shutterstock/Kanittha Boon)
The EU Commission has today published the guidelines on the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, which were originally announced for July 2020. These guidelines are intended to clarify which products are covered by the directive.
The publication of the guidelines was actually planned for July 2020, but was delayed several times due to the excessive complexity of the directive and a dispute over its scope. The IK Industrial Association for Plastic Packaging had criticised the fact that due to the delays many companies are not in a position to adapt their products to the requirements applicable from 3 July 2021. Violations of the new requirements should therefore only be penalised from January 2022, the IK demands.
The IK also takes a critical view of the content of the new guidelines: „Unfortunately, the Commission missed the chance, The Commission's aim is not to provide practical assistance to companies, member states and enforcement authorities in implementing the directive. Instead, it attempts to extend the scope of the regulations beyond the current law,“ criticises Dr Martin Engelmann, Managing Director of the IK, and refers specifically to the requirements for food packaging.
Single-use plastics directive to combat littering
According to the EU Directive, only packaging that tend to be thrown away carelessly due to their volume or size, especially if they are single portions. This confirms the aim of the directive to Combating littering.
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(Image: IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen)
„After a lot of back and forth, the Commission has accepted that it cannot simply ignore this criterion. However, its proposal to use the same limit value for food packaging as for beverage containers, namely 3 litres, completely ignores the criterion.“ Martin Engelmann, Managing Director of the IK.
This would significantly extend the scope of the directive. After all, packaging for to-go food, especially single portions, is considerably smaller. „With this proposal, the Commission is clearly exceeding its competences.“ Engelmann also criticises Different criteria for rigid and flexible food packaging, although both types of packaging should be treated equally in terms of litter prevention. Finally, there is no indication in the guidelines that food packaging with more than one portion and so-called multipacks are expressly excluded from the directive.
„To our regret, the guidelines have become the battleground for an ideological debate about plastic packaging,“ says Engelmann, summarising the months-long discussion. Instead of practical help the guidelines made implementation even more complicated. „For the companies concerned, these guidelines are “bricks instead of bread', as it often remains unclear which to-go food packaging is covered."
The unclear guidelines from Brussels also threaten to create a patchwork of different national regulations in the EU member states. „Together with other affected sectors, we will now campaign for our own clear implementation aids,“ announced Engelmann.
