BETA

Activities of Judith A. MERKIES related to 2013/0371(COD)

Plenary speeches (1)

Reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags (debate)
2016/11/22
Dossiers: 2013/0371(COD)

Shadow reports (1)

REPORT on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste to reduce the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags PDF (284 KB) DOC (381 KB)
2016/11/22
Committee: ENVI
Dossiers: 2013/0371(COD)
Documents: PDF(284 KB) DOC(381 KB)

Amendments (20)

Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) In the light of inability to address the external costs of the free supply of plastic light weight carrier bags and the ongoing innovation in characteristics and substances of plastic bags, laying down European rules on these bags contributes to the management of new waste streams and gives business clarity and uniformity.
2014/02/21
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 25 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 b (new)
(3b) The potential of economic gains for SMEs associated with the introduction of a charge for light weight carrier bags should be stressed, while it should be monitored that the charge does not lead to a negative outcome for SMEs. It should also be stressed that the EU bio intelligence service found that the food retail sector is responsible for the greatest share of plastic bag consumption and that the EU stakeholder consultation showed that 71% of the citizens supports Union measures on the supply of plastic bags;
2014/02/21
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 29 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
(5) To promote similar reductions of the average consumption level of lightweight plastic carrier bags, Member States should take measures to reduce the consumption of plastic carrier bags with a handle, a thickness below 50 microns and with limited reusability, in line with the overall objectives of the Union's waste policy and the Union's waste hierarchy as provided for in Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives7. Such reduction measures should take account of current consumption levels of plastic carrier bags in individual Member States, with higher levels requiring more ambitious efforts. To monitor progress in reducing the use of lightweight plastic carrier bags national authorities will provide data on their use under article 17 of Directive 94/62/EC. __________________ 7 OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3. OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3.
2014/02/21
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 32 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
(2) Consumption of plastic carrier bags results in high levels of littering and an inefficient use of resources and is expected to increase if no action is taken. Littering of plastic carrier bags contributes to the widespread problem of marine litter thatand land pollution and threatens marine eco-systems worldwide.
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 42 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
(3) Plastic carrier bags with a thickness below 50 microns, which represent the vast majority of the total number of plastic carrier bags consumed in the Union, are less frequently re-used than thicker plastic carrier bags and, more prone to littering and, due to their light weight, are more likely to end up scattered through the environment, both on land and in the sea.
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 3 – point 2 a (new)
"2a. "lightweight plastic carrier bags” shall mean bags made of plastic materials as defined in Article 3(1) of Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011* with a wall thickness below 50 microns andwith the following additional characteristics: (a) a wall thickness below 50 microns and (b) a reusability below 125 and (c) a handle or hole to carry the bag which are supplied to consumers at the point of sale of goods or products. _________________ * OJ L 12, 15.01.2011, p. 1."
2014/02/21
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 47 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) Bags that are biodegradable under industrial and ambient conditions have the potential to lower the environmental burden for Member States committed to a reduction; the Joint Research Centre's technical proposals for end-of-waste criteria for biodegradable waste, the EU standard EN 13432 and the European Parliament resolution on a European strategy on plastic waste in the environment (2013/2113(INI), provide useful innovative policy initiatives for reducing the use and impact of lightweight plastic carrier bags.
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 51 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1 a (new)
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 3 – point 2 b (new)
(1a) In Article 3, the following point is inserted: ‘2b. "biodegradable bags under industrial conditions" shall mean bags that are degradable in industrial installations in line with European standard EN 13432 and therefore may need to be collected at end-of-life; Bio-degradable bags may be used preferentially by Member States when they can be released into the environment under any circumstances (e.g. water, soil) giving back valuable materials to the eco system; additionally, the CEN may be consulted to lay down the maximum time for decomposing Biodegradable bags under ambient conditions that can decompose in soil, but not in water shall have a thickness of at least 50 microns;"
2014/02/21
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 52 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
(4) Consumption levels of plastic carrier bags vary considerably across the Union due not only to differences in consumption habits, and environmental awareness, as well as thebut mainly to the degree of effectiveness of policy measures taken by Member States. Some Member States have managed to reduce consumption levels of plastic carrier bags significantly, with the average consumption level in the seven best performing Member States amounting to only 20% of the EU average consumption.
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a – subparagraph 1
1a. Member States shall take measures to achieve aby 2018 a 80% reduction in the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags on their territory within two years of entry into force of this Directiveas compared to the average EU consumption in 2010.
2014/02/21
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 58 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
(5) To promote similar reductions of the average consumption level of lightweight plastic carrier bags, Member States should take measures to reduce the consumption of plastic carrier bags with a thickness below 50 microns and with limited reusability, in line with the overall objectives of the Union's waste policy and the Union's waste hierarchy as provided for in Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives. Such reduction measures should take account of current consumption levels of plastic carrier bags in individual Member States, with higher levels requiring more ambitious efforts. To monitor progress in reducing the use of lightweight plastic carrier bags national authorities will provide data on their use under article 17 of Directive 94/62/EC.
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 65 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2 a (new)
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 6 a (new)
(2a) The following Article is inserted: 'Article 6a Types of reduction measures concerning plastic bags: 1. Member States shall take measures to limit the availability of lightweight plastic carrier bags where supplied to consumers at the point of sale of goods or products. A prohibition on such bags shall effect by 2020, pending the findings of a review clause and a levy shall be used as a transitional measure, at least in the food retail sector. 2. Handleless plastic carrier bags may be used for the packaging of fresh products (for example, dairy products, meat) if alternatives are not available. Member states shall adopt a replacement target for handleless plastic bags of 60% in 2018 compared to the EU average in 2010 Bags that are biodegradable under industrial conditions may be supplied when no separate waste stream has to be established to process this type bags in the most efficient way. 3. If bags are biodegradable under industrial or non-industrial condition this should be clearly indicated on the bag with a mark, feature or colour code. The Commission shall be delegated the power to define such indications in order to ensure Union-wide recognition. 4. Biobased bags shall not have a detrimental impact on agricultural output for human or animal consumption or on the environment; materials shall only be used if they adhere to the cascading principle of biomass. In line with European standard EN 16575, a biobased product is a product fully or partly derived from biomass.'
2014/02/21
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 3 – point 2a
'lightweight plastic carrier bags' shall mean bags made of plastic materials as defined in Article 3(1) of Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011* with a wall thickness below 50 microns and a reusability rate lower than 125 times, and which are supplied to consumers at the point of sale of goods or products.
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 1 a (new)
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 3 – point 2b (new)
(1a) In Article 3, a new point 2b is inserted: '2b. "reusable bags" shall mean bags that can be reused a minimum of 125 times;'
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 100 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2 b (new)
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 3 – point 2c (new)
(2b) In Article 3, a new point 2c is inserted: '2c. "biodegradable bags under industrial conditions" shall mean bags that are degradable in industrial installations in line with EU standard EN 13432 and therefore need to be collected at end-of- life;'
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2 c (new)
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 3 – point 2d (new)
(2c) In Article 3, a new point 2d is inserted: '2d. "biodegradable bags under ambient conditions" shall mean bags that can be released into the environment under any circumstances (e.g. water, soil) and will decompose within 20 weeks, giving back valuable materials to the eco system. Biodegradable bags under ambient conditions that can decompose in soil, but not in water shall have a thickness of at least 50 microns;'
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 113 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 1a – subparagraph 1
1a Member States shall take measures to achieve aby 2018 an 80% reduction in the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags on their territory within two years of entry into force of this Directiveas compared to their average consumption in 2010.
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 1a – subparagraph 2
These measures mayshall include innovative solutions, the use of national reduction targets, economic instruments as well as marketing restrictions in derogation from Article 18 of this Directive.
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 129 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2 d (new)
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 1b
(2d) In Article 4, the following paragraph 1b is inserted: '1b. Oxo bio-degradable bags are unfit to meet the objectives set out in this directive and shall be prohibited.'
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2 a (new)
Directive 94/62/EC
Article 6a (new)
(2a) A new Article 6a is inserted: 'Article 6a Types of reduction measures concerning plastic bags 1. Member States shall implement a hierarchy (cascading model) that puts reduction on top, followed by reusable bags, bags that are degradable under ambient conditions, bags that are degradable under industrial circumstances and single use light weight plastic carrier bags. 2. Member States shall take measures to limit the availability of lightweight plastic carrier bags and bags that are biodegradable under industrial conditions where supplied to consumers at the point of sale of goods or products. A prohibition on such bags shall take effect by 2020, and a levy shall be used as a transitional measure. Lightweight plastic carrier bags may be used for the packaging of fresh products (for example, dairy products, meat) if alternatives are not available. Bags that are biodegradable under industrial conditions shall be supplied only when distributors can reasonably expect that those bags will be collected, e.g. bags for municipal bio waste collection, so as to avoid an additional waste stream. The bags shall be designed to be processed in the same way as bio waste. Reusable and biodegradable bags under ambient conditions may still be distributed to consumers from 2020. In the food sector, those bags shall be subject to a levy that is consistent with the objectives of this directive. 3. If bags are biodegradable under ambient conditions, this shall be clearly indicated on the bag with a mark, feature or colour code. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts to define such indications in order to ensure Union-wide recognition. Member States may adopt measures to indicate other characteristics, such as reusability, recyclability and degradability. 4. Biobased bags shall not have a detrimental impact on agricultural output for human or animal consumption or on the environment; materials shall only be used if they adhere to the cascading principle of biomass. In line with EU standard EN 16575, a biobased product shall be considered as a product fully or partly derived from biomass.'
2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI