Search

This paper provides an analysis of the German Packaging Ordinance of 1991 and its effects, focussing particularly on two cases concerning the legislation brought before the European Court of Justice. An historical overview of the development of the legislation is provided; the two European Court cases and the resulting judgments are introduced; and the governmental and academic reactions to these judgments are discussed to establish whether the rulings are either ambiguous or provide clear guidance for the German Government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reviews the environmental law in Germany. Germany implemented the European Emissions Trading Scheme relating to a mechanism for the trade of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Community into national law. On July 15, 2004, the Draft of the Ordinance concerning solvent-based paints and varnish has been approved. The Renewable Energy Sources Act entered into force on August 1, 2004. On April 1, 2004, the Federal Administrative Court decided a crossing over the river Mosel between Belgium and Germany. The German government decided the Draft of an Amendment to the Packaging Ordinance on November 3, 2004. On July 1, 2004, the government agreed to the draft of an Act on Improving Preventive Flood Protection.

Eco-labelling is a means of conveying environmental information to the consumer with the eco-label being the carrier of information, telling the public through the label that the product is more environmentally friendly than comparable products. The Blue Angel, Germany's eco-label, fulfils the role of an instrument of environmental protection to a high degree by being limited to the relevant facts, carrying easily understandable information and by ensuring that the information originates from a neutral official source. Furthermore, the information contained in the Blue Angel is both easily recognized and easily obtained. On the negative side, however, the Blue Angel is sometimes not easily understood without the need for additional information and the relativity of the eco-label is not readily understood by the consumer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents developments in environmental law in Europe, including the decision of the Court on March 10, 2005 in the case Commission of the European Communities v. Federal Republic of Germany relating to assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment and the ruling of the Court of Justice on March 10, 2005 in the case Commission of the European Communities French Republic in relation to the management of waste at a waste tip at Saint-Laurent du Maroni.