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

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

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

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 that~~and land pollution and threatens ~~marine~~ eco-systems worldwide.

2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI

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

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 and~~with 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

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

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

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 the~~but 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

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 Directive~~as compared to the average EU consumption in 2010.

2014/02/21
Committee: ITRE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Directive~~as compared to their average consumption in 2010.

2014/01/27
Committee: ENVI

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2

Directive 94/62/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 1a – subparagraph 2

These measures ~~may~~shall 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

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