§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in agreeing a system of green labelling with the other EC member countries; and what proposals Her Majesty's Government have with regard to(a) the proportion of low-grade paper waste to be included in a green-labelled toilet roll, (b) the specifications for soap powder or detergent, (c) the specification for batteries, in particular the problems with mercury and cadmium, (d) aerosol spray, (e) liquid containers and (f) standards for shopping carrier bags.
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§ Mr. BaldryThe European Commission issued its proposed regulation for a Community award scheme for an eco-label on 11 February. The proposal will be discussed at the Environment Council on 18 March.
No proposals have yet been made for the criteria against which specific product groups would be assessed for the award of an eco-label under the scheme. Under the proposed regulation, criteria would be determined on the basis of an assessment of the impact of a product on the environment over the whole of its life-cycle, and would aim for high standards of environmental protection.