The planned EU Directive on plastic carrier bags is nearing the final hurdle. The Environment Committee of the European Parliament voted on Tuesday to adopt the compromise worked out among the EU legislative institutions last autumn.
The final remaining step prior to final passage is adoption by the Parliament plenary. That body is currently scheduled to vote on the legislation on 28 April. The vote is considered a mere formality, as the text of the proposed legislation was negotiated by representatives of the Parliament, the Council and the Commission in "trilogue" talks.
The proposed Directive aims to limit and reduce the consumption of plastic bags with a wall thickness of less than 50 microns and provides member states with a number of methods to cut bag use. These include allowing member states to ban the bags altogether as long as the market restrictions are proportionate and non-discriminatory.
