Problems relating to Trade and Investment on Gulf Cooperation Council
22. Environmental pollution and waste disposal |
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Issue |
Issue details |
Requests |
Reference |
| (1) Mandatory Use of Oxo-Biodegradable Plastic Bags and other related Packaging Materials | - Mandatory use of oxo-biodegradable plastic bags and other related packaging materials enforced from 1 January 2014 under UAE Ministerial Decree No.118-2013 expands the scope of the items subject to regulations from the previous shopping bags only to 15-items of packaging materials, (although it seems uncertain, including) packaging materials for electric/electronic products. In addition, the Decree requires submission of sample packaging materials using the Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology (ESMA) approved additives for further approval by the ESMA and attachment of Mark for Certification of Conformity. Use of oxidatively decomposed Packaging Materials susceptible of oxidation, in lieu of the sturdy, ruggedly composed materials, which are prerequisite for quality assurance of products, goes beyond the reasonable extent of protecting the products in transit. | - It is requested that GCC exempts packing materials for electric/electronic products from the Decree. (DE of EU and KEA of R.O.K. already despatched letters to ESMA, requesting clarification of the subject products, and postponement of its enforcement. Furthermore, Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) submitted its Position Paper to UAE, to the effect that this Decree is not an optimum correct policy, as it gives negative impact among others on plastic recycling efforts, etc.) |
- United Arab Emirates / Ministry of Environment & Water Office of the Minister UAE Ministerial Decree No.118-2013 |
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