91999E0085

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0085/99

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: Packaging Directive

Is there to be any review or evaluation of the effectiveness of the Packaging Directive (i.e. achievement of targets, etc.) and, if so, when?

Will the Commission publish such a review?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 1999)

The implementation by Member States of Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste(1), foreseen for 30 June 1996, has been delayed for more than a year on average. This means that at present an assessment of the practical situation in Member States would in general be done at a preliminary stage and not with all the packaging waste management systems in full operation.

The Commission adopted Decision 97/138/EC for the provision of data on packaging and packaging waste(2) on 3 February 1997. The formats should be completed on an annual basis, starting with the data for the year 1997 and should be provided to the Commission within 18 months of the end of the relevant year. The Commission has adopted Decision 97/622/EC concerning questionnaires in the waste sector(3), which includes one relative to the Packaging Directive. The first report will cover the period 1998 to 2000 inclusive.

A study on "European packaging waste management systems", is to be initiated in April 1999 and the final report should be ready by May 1999. Another study on the "Costs, benefits and cost-effectiveness of financial pool systems" is expected to start in March 1999 and the final version should be available by December 1999. Both studies are intended to be available for general distribution.

On the basis of the above, the Commission intends to prepare by July 1999 a report on the practical experience gained by Member States in the pursuance of the targets and the findings of scientific research and evaluation techniques such as eco-balances.

(1) OJ L 365, 31.12.1994.

(2) OJ L 52, 22.2.1997.

(3) OJ L 256, 19.9.1997.