MEPs give industry break on chemical ban
The European Parliament’s environment committee has tabled giving the packaging industry time to deal with a proposed European Union (EU) ban on perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) – environmentally damaging chemicals used in photographic printing. The committee has proposed this ban is delayed for photoresists or anti-reflective coatings for photolithography processes until eight years after the directive comes into force, provided they are used in controlled closed systems, because of lack of technical alternatives. Their use in industrial photographic coatings applied to films, papers or printing plates would be allowed an extra four years. Both derogations could be extended further in special circumstances.
EU Commission issues cosmetics label guidelines
The European Commission has released formal guidelines for cosmetics labelling that claims products were tested in more humane ways than on animals. Under Brussels’ proposed formal “recommendation”, participating manufacturers, whose products could gain a significant marketing boost from these labels, must follow common criteria. Moreover, a company “that chose to have this labelling must be able to prove the reality of the absence of animal testing.” The Commission added that the rules would ensure that labels “do not mislead the consumer or lead to unfair competition”. Animal-tested cosmetics cannot be sold in the EU if safe alternative testing methods are available. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_158/l_15820060610en00180019.pdf
EU waste policy criticism
European Commission proposals for a new EU waste framework directive have been criticised at a Brussels seminar arranged by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). Erika Mink, environmental director at Tetra Pak, speaking for the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment, said Brussels’ planned waste prevention targets could become burdensome. She also attacked the Commission’s failure to draft guidelines on public financial aid for waste programmes, warning contrasting national regimes could impede recycling. European Parliament rapporteur on the framework directive Caroline Jackson MEP slammed the Commission’s failure to properly define the so-called “lifecycle” approach to waste management.