Packaging Law Europe

Problems caused by divergent legislation led to the enactment of the Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste in late 1994. Unfortunately, the imprecision of the Directive necessary to ensure its enactment has led to further disputes. At the heart of these disputes is the classic struggle between the priorities of environmental protection and economic development. This book analyses the implementation of the Directive by Member States, and in particular, issues such as the imposition of quotas on reusable containers; the use of economic instruments and environmental agreements; and competition issues and state aids. The book enlightens readers to the current debates regarding packaging legislation which continue today, despite the enactment of EU legislation.

Booknews

Bailey (law, European U. Institute, Florence) examines the debates that led to the 1994 Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste, and those hardly less contentious debates that have followed it. She looks specifically at constraints such as reuse quotas and bans on certain types of packaging, and the use of new instruments such as eco-taxes and environmental agreements to implement the Directive. She says it was just a stage in the conflict between protecting the environment and greasing the wheels of trade, which she predicts will end up in the European Court of Justice. The treatment is developed from her law degree thesis for the University of Amsterdam. It is not indexed. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)