§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the areas where the proposed packaging waste regulations will be more extensive than the requirements set by the European Union directive on packaging waste regulations; and what are the reasons for such a policy. [29923]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe EC directive on packaging and packaging waste (92/62/EC) is a framework directive which requires member states to put in place systems which they determine and which are intended to implement its provisions. The directive provides a single market framework for the free circulation throughout the European Community of packaging which meets certain essential requirements reflecting environmental and other considerations. It also contains environmental objectives, 225W including the need to achieve an overall recovery rate of 50 to 65 per cent. by the year 2001, with a minimum of 15 per cent. materials recycling per material.
As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment set out in his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 7 May 1996, Official Report, columns 73–75, the Government have accepted industry's view that we should provide for the directive to be implemented by business-led schemes. The regulations which we hope to publish shortly for consultation will reflect that as well as the industry agreement achieved on 15 December 1995 on how the burdens might be shared between the sectors of the packaging chain.
§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate his Department has made of the cost for the packaging waste industry of complying with the proposed new packaging waste regulations; and what was the outcome of this assessment. [29924]
§ Mr. ClappisonA preliminary cost compliance assessment for implementation of this directive was set out in "Producer Responsibility for Packaging Waste— A Consultation Paper"—published in May 1995, a copy of which is in the Library. That assessment is currently being revised. I hope to publish it shortly for consultation alongside the draft regulations on implementation of the directive on the basis set out in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Eastbourne on 7 May 1996,Official Report, columns 73–75.