The European Commission’s proposal setting out its plans for future EU packaging legislation no longer contains a "negative list of packaging characteristics”. The list, which was included in an earlier working draft, defined properties of plastic, paper and board, glass and metal packaging that would make the material ineligible to be considered recyclable. The approach met with heavy criticism in some industry circles. In a letter expressing grave concerns, 60 associations from different parts of the European packaging value chain had claimed that negative lists were more than just unnecessary; they would stop innovation. The industry organisation warned that there would be less investment in recycling because design for recycling guidelines would determine the types of packaging which could be placed on the EU market.
However, the European Commission's official proposal would not give packaging manufacturers and brand owners an entirely free hand. Annex V specifying restrictions on certain types of packaging is to apply one year after the Regulation’s entry into force...
