Voluntary Code: Packaging Best Environmental Practice

1
Voluntary Code Packaging Best Environmental
Practice

• Julian Carroll
• Executive Committee
• 20 September 2006

2
Why should we consider this idea?

• We have not subdued our critics
• Regulators talk of more prevention regulations
• Antwerp Workshop conclusions
• Essential Requirements compliance not widely
  monitored
• Self Regulation can be Better Regulation

3
Why Global and not just European?

• Fundamental criticism is the same world-wide
• Most brand owners are global
• Supply chain is becoming more global
• Present discussions between EUROPEN and SPC
  illustrate need/benefits
• An established Europe Only programme would be
  difficult to export

4
Crucial Elements of Success

• Buy-in from all industry/trade stakeholders
• Industry must own the code
• Adequate start-up funding and commitment to
  continue
• Sanctions for non-compliance
• Recognition and acceptance by regulatory
  authorities

5
Benefits of the programme

• Creation of a positive action platform
• An answer to regulators calls for more
  prevention
• Avoidance of more costly and innovation
  inhibiting regulation
• An example of Better Regulation
• In Europe, it could fill the vacuum of
  Essential Requirements monitoring by authorities
• A made to measure addition for company CSR
  programmes

6
First steps

• EUROPEN Executive Committee decision
• Prepare a package to sell the vision
• Win commitment of
• Retailers in Europe
• Material sectors
• Open talks with SPC (USA)
• Consultation with European Commission officials

7
Elements of winning stakeholder acceptance

• Accountability / enforceability
• Credibility
• Transparency
• Adaptability

8
Timeline

• Today
• Executive Committee decision to develop concept
• Next week
• Dialogue with SPC on Sustainable Packaging
  Definition
• Early October
• Appoint a Task Force
• Begin developing the concept

9
Timeline (contd)

• By mid-November
• Open discussions with
• Retail sector
• Material sectors
• European Commission
• 12 December
• Executive Committee second reviewgo/change/stop?
• Early January
• Start discussions with SPC
• 29 March 2007
• EUROPEN/SPC agree joint initiative to start
  development of programme

10
A Few Questions

• Who will own and control the programme?
• How would it be financed?
• What do we call it?
• How do we sell it?