NETHERLANDS: RETURNABLE GLASS AND PLASTIC BOTTLES The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif. 96.129. 1. Member to Agreement Notifying: NETHERLANDS. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2): 2. Agency responsible: Commodity Board for Soft Drinks and Waters. Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification can be indicated if different from above: 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Returnable glass and plastic bottles, as well as crates for soft drinks and waters. 5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Draft Regulation Governing Compensation for Handling Extra Returned Empties 1996 with Accompanying Implementing Order (6 pages, available in English). 6. Description of content: The objective of the draft regulation and associated implementing order is to eliminate any distortions in the distribution of soft drinks and waters in returnable bottles and crates, such distortions being the direct result of the haphazard collection behaviour on the part of consumers with regard to empty bottles and crates. Additionally, the regulation aims to improve sorting by wholesalers and retailers of bottles and crates. There is no financial gain for industry pursuant to this regulation. As for the retailers, they only stand to benefit from the present system if they collect more empties than they sold in the first place. 7. Objective and rationale: The long established deposit-money system leads to the disparities in the distribution of empty crates and bottles. The VBR system, whereby retailers receive compensation for handling extra returned empties, namely the packaging which is collected on top of the quantity sold, has been firmly in place for many years to ensure this. Since the amounts have been adjusted in line with the rise in costs, it is deemed necessary to lay down this system in a regulation. 8. Relevant documents: Business Organisation Act (Law Gazette K22, 27 January 1950); Establishment Order on Soft Drinks and Water 1992. 9. Proposed date of adoption: 1 January 1997. Proposed date of entry into force: 10. Final date for comments: 12 July 1996. (151)

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