26 May 2009 - EUROPEN Seminar

Brussels

 

Beyond compliance?

 

Packaging in the Sustainability Agenda

 

Retaining freedom to innovate and protecting supply chain efficiencies within a harmonised regultory regime.

 

Today's Sustainability Agenda is putting pressure on packaging and packaged goods companies to voluntarily exceed compliance requirements for their packaging in response to increasingly demanding and diverse packaging requirements.

Pressures are coming from consumers, customers and governments.  'Voluntary' measures such as those from WRAP in the UK and regulation such as the 'Grenelle' law in France all risk causing legislative disharmonisation within the EU internal market.  Additionally, unilateral and uncoordinated trade and industry initiatives such as packaging rating and labelling systems are now threatening hard won supply chain efficiencies.

This unique EUROPEN half day afternoon seminar in Brussels on Tuesday 26th May examined issues raised by these developments including cost, consequence and consumer responses. The seminar provided intelligence on how the packaged goods value chain can prevent a return to a disharmonised regulatory regime, retain freedom of innovation and protect supply chain choices and efficiencies.

Through a series of presentations, case studies, panel discussion and via audience participation, the seminar addressed issues such as:

  • What are 'the basics' of compliance today?
  • Is it time to go beyond minimum requirements (in Europe)? Why? How?
  • Do we need a combination of regulation and voluntary commitments beyond regulation?
  • What is the place of packaging in the climate change agenda?
  • How is the EU regulatory and policy framework influencing packaging choice?
  • Which member state governments are leading the push beyond compliance and how?
  • What should packaging value chain companies be doing to prepare for the coming demands?
  • How will the EU Sustainable Consumption and Production policy affect packaging?   
  • Is a common platform on relevant environmental parameters for packaging in the sustainability agenda needed?

Download the full programme and presentations below.