Public Servant Lifestyle

The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) is calling for an urgent review of packaging laws to aid a crackdown on firms who persist in using 'excessive' packaging for their products.

The appeal from TSI chiefs comes amid fears that some traders are continuing to introduce wasteful packaging, despite growing concerns about the environmental impact and the hidden cost to buyers.

Off The Hook?

"Consumers and campaigners are saying they want to see an end to excessive packaging - a view shared by TSI,' said Ellen Morgan, Lead Officer for Environment, TSI. However, the existing regulations are difficult and costly to enforce. We would like to see more stringent rules in "

She added: "The current rules allow businesses off the hook if they can demonstrate that packaging is accepted by consumers or needed for product presentation or marketing purposes. We think the regulations should be more heavily weighted towards the environment."

A very small number of companies have been successfully prosecuted by local authority trading standards services under the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations (2003). They include Office World - fined £2,000 in September 2004 - and Burton's Foods in connection with a licensed Cadbury's product - fined £1,000 in 2006.

The regulations state: 'Packaging shall be so manufactured that the packaging volume and weight be limited to the minimum adequate amount to maintain the necessary level of safety, hygiene and acceptance for the packed product and for the consumer...' However, the wording gives a get-out for companies who demonstrate the excess packaging is needed for 'consumer acceptance', to 'provide identification' or for 'stimulating purchase', said Miss Morgan.

TSI wants to see alternative wording introduced that ensures packaging is minimised as far as technically possible.

Local Authority Trading Standards Services

Ellen Morgan added: "Hopefully this would halt the excessive use of packaging on some toys, gifts, food and chocolate. It would also make it easier for Local Authority Trading Standards Services to advise firms and to enforce the law, and easier for businesses."

TSI is working with consumer organisations to try to encourage companies to voluntarily agree to reduce packaging. Organisations are also encouraged to contact Envirowise, a Government-funded organisation offering free, independent advice to businesses on packaging and waste minimisation.

David Hedger, assistant head of trading standards in Northamptonshire - who made a presentation regarding the enforcement difficulties at this year's national Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards Conference & Exhibition in Manchester, hosted by TSI - commented: "Members of TSI have been working with the retail and packaging industries to highlight the issues that concern us and to demonstrate how packaging can be improved.

"There are many examples of good practice out there and more and more businesses are seeking advice about minimising waste, which is great, but more needs to be done to ensure that pressure continues to be brought to bear through legislation and by persuading more retailers to take action."

He also called for more resources for trading standards services to enforce restrictions on issues like packaging.

Councillor Paul Bettison, Chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA) Environment Board, added: "The law which is supposed to ban excessive packaging is a toothless tiger. The fact that there have only been four successful prosecutions in the UK demonstrates the law simply isn't working.

"Local Authority Trading Standards Services find their hands tied by these regulations. There's no incentive for manufacturers to cut down on packaging because they know they can get away with it. Tougher laws must close the loopholes that make it easy for businesses to get off the hook. Equally a maximum fine of £5,000 is a drop in the ocean for big companies. Only serious fines will act as a genuine deterrent to over-packaging.

"Councils are on the front line in the fight against climate change and need real power to take action against businesses that consistently over-package."

Campaign

Several organisations, including the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI), are running their own campaigns against excess packaging.

Fay Mansell, Chair NFWI , said: "We have been calling on supermarkets to reduce excess packaging on food products for some time now. Although supermarkets have announced measures to reduce packaging, there is still a long way to go."

Oxfordshire Community Action Group and Oxfordshire WI recently held an action day at county supermarkets, where they urged shoppers to assess the packaging implications when buying products. "Making a few simple changes can really reduce our impact on the environment. By purchasing fruit and vegetables loose rather than wrapped, for example, and by choosing products with less packaging we can send a clear message to retailers about what consumers want," said Hannah Moser, senior project development officer for the CAG project.

An Early Day Motion urging supermarkets and suppliers to reduce packaging was signed by 112 MPs earlier this year. Environment Secretary David Miliband published a new strategy for cutting waste last month, with the focus on urging businesses to reduce waste voluntarily and on setting higher targets for recycling.

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