EU regulations against packaging waste: will Lindt’s golden bunny lose its bell soon?

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For many, it is as much a part of Easter as the Amen in church: the Lindt chocolate bunny. Wrapped in gold foil and fitted with a red ribbon with a bell, the bunny shines in all its glory every year. But this rabbit could soon be in trouble. At least when EU regulations come into effect.

The EU has declared war on packaging waste and is planning a raft of measures, according to a report from the “NZZ”. The word ‘ban’ is used liberally. For example, a revision of packaging regulations, initiated by the European Commission in November last year, wanted to ban the use of sugar packets in restaurants for coffee drinkers.

The packaging industry lobbied fiercely

Individually packaged portions, such as ketchup, sauces and coffee cream, suffered the same fate. Disposable packaging from fast food chains intended for on-site consumption must also be removed. Plastic packaging in the retail trade of fruit and vegetables is a thorn in the side of the EU.

The goal of the campaign: to get closer to significantly reducing the amount of waste produced annually. However, the Commission carried out the calculations without taking into account the packaging industry, which was unhappy with the announcement and actively lobbied against it.

This caused the EU Parliament, which usually goes the extra mile when it comes to regulations, to sit up and put on the brakes. Not only was the sector dissatisfied with the measures, some Member States had also expressed concerns.

Main objectives unchanged, but bans relaxed

For example, France would no longer be allowed to sell its Camembert cheese in the classic disposable packaging in the future. Southern Europeans, in turn, wanted to overturn the ban on plastic packaging, because it improves the shelf life of food.

Even in the EU Parliament itself, many people preferred to keep their hands off the Commission’s plans. After all, there will be elections next year and a ban will not necessarily make you popular with voters.

As a result, the European Commission’s submission was weakened. The main goal remains unchanged: the packaging volume must shrink by five percent in 2030 and by 15 percent in 2040. However, Parliament is withdrawing certain bans on packaging types. Individually packaged portions of ketchup, sugar and coffee cream will also be found in restaurants in the future. French Cambert producers can also breathe a sigh of relief and continue to use wooden boxes as packaging.

What happens to the golden Lindt bunny?

However, shampoo bottles in hotels, shrink wrap for suitcases at the airport and thin plastic carrier bags should be absolutely banned. The proposal does not explicitly address Lindt’s golden rabbit, but it can be assumed that it will also be addressed by EU regulators. After all, the EU wants to ‘minimise’ packaging, which means that ‘unnecessary’ packaging components, such as the bell, are not permitted.

Because countries trading in the EU’s internal market must adhere to EU rules, Swiss companies would also be affected by the new regulations. The only exceptions are small businesses with fewer than ten employees.

The proposal has not yet officially entered into force. The Council of Ministers, which includes the individual ministers of the Member States, must also give its consent. Only when there is agreement between the EU Parliament and the Council of Ministers will the decision be final. (ced)

Source: Blick