1. The challenges of ecodesign regulations

1.1 Free movement of packaging within the single market

Directive 94/62 of December 20, 1994 on packaging and packaging waste arose from the development of the consumer society and the parallel development of packaging for products marketed in the 1960s/1970s.

This European law is the result of an ambiguous initiative by Denmark, which introduced a deposit system for beer and soft drink glass bottles with a decree in 1981. Officially intended to protect the environment, this regulation also had the effect of hindering the import into Denmark of beer and soft drinks produced by its neighbors. The European Court of Justice praised the ecological role of the Danish deposit system, but condemned the legislation because it obliged foreign producers to use only...