In a letter sent to EU Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen on behalf of a group of 11 industry associations with packaging interests, sector group Europen is calling for improved enforcement measures relating to EU packaging law. Differing approaches by the various EU member states has led to ‘persistent problems’ for the packaging industry, it is claimed.

The 11 associations are calling for changes to the EU’s notification procedure via which governments should inform the European Commission and other member states of draft rules that might impact on the internal market. An objection should then automatically trigger a legal infringement procedure against the notifying country, they suggest.

The letter to the Industry Commissioner also calls for greater transparency in the notification procedure, particularly in situations where objections have been raised.