§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what responsibility her Department has for the packaging waste regulations; and if she will make a statement. [808]
§ Mr. WilsonThe UK packaging waste regulations implement European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste. This Directive aims both to reduce the environmental impact of waste packaging and to ensure the functioning of the single market with respect to packaging. The single market provisions of the Directive require member states to ensure that packaging may be placed on the market only if it complies with certain essential requirements and heavy metals limits. These measures are implemented in the UK through the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations SI 1998 No. 1165 and enforcement powers have been given to local Trading Standards Departments. These regulations fall under my area of responsibility.
In addition to my responsibilities for these regulations my department represents the UK at meetings of the technical adaptation committee set up under Article 21 of Directive 94/62/EC.
The other provisions of Directive 94/62/EC are implemented in the UK through the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations SI 1997 No. 648 (as amended in 1999 and 2000) and through similar legislation in the devolved administrations. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment has the responsibility for these regulations.