The EU has included household refrigerators and freezers to the Eco-label scheme. The voluntary scheme allows products displaying superior environmental properties to display a special label. To be eligible for the Eco-label in this sector, products must meet a set of qualified technical performance criteria. The main technical criteria covered are:
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Energy efficiency, measured according to method already mandatory
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Absence of harmful effects on the ozone-layer or on global
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Noise limitations [noise to be below 42dB(A)]
The Eco-label scheme is now expended to cover twelve products:
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Dish-washers
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Washing machines
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Soil improvers
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Toilet paper
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Kitchen rolls
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Laundry detergents
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Single-ended light bulbs
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Paints and varnishes for indoor use
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Bed-linen and T-shirts
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Linear fluorescent (double-ended) light bulbs
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Copying paper
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Refrigerators and freezers
Pesticides Residues in Fruit and Vegetable-based Foodstuffs
The EU has published a list of 13 specific pesticides which should represent priorities for field testing and verification in 1997. The pesticides listed in the latest announcement are:
Foodstuffs: Specific purity criteria on food additives
EU Directive 96/77/EC laying down specific purity criteria on food additives other than colour and sweeteners. The EU has issued an important clarification on the technical definitions of a range of
over 200 additives whose use is permitted in foodstuffs. The clarification is the technical definition of their purity criteria.
This Directive comes into force 1 July 1997, however products put on the market or labelled before 1 July 1997 which do not comply with this Directive may be marketed until stocks are exhausted.
Environmental Marking on Packaging
The EU has published information on the form and meaning on two new markings which it proposes should be used on packaging materials to indicate they are reusable or recyclable. Contrary to earlier reports, the markings are to be voluntary rather than mandatory. While the use of these new marks is voluntary, the use of alternative marks with the same meaning is to be banned.
Packaging Directive
In summary, this Directive applies to all packaging, not only the final product package sold to the consumer, but also intermediate transport packaging. For exporters, the primary effects are likely to be a general requirement to limit the volume of packaging for a given product, to the minimum adequate level; to use harmonised standards and marking and financial contributions for recycling.
Suppliers outside Europe of both of packaging materials and of packaged goods will be required to apply any harmonised markings and to respect harmonised standards. In addition they are also likely to find that recycling costs will be used as a negotiating argument in price discussions.
