JMD 180036/952/2017
The Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) 180036/952/2017 was published in the Official Journal and entered into force on August 10, 2017, which, as part of the harmonization with Directive (EU) 2015/720, is an important step in limiting the consumption of single-use plastic bags in our country. The JMD incorporates substantive regulations and tools to achieve a reduction in the use of single-use plastic bags, with the main measure being the imposition of a levy, which will be used to support actions aimed primarily at changing the environmental culture and the behavior of the consumer.
The pdf document of the new JMD is provided here.
DIRECTIVE 2008/56/EC – (Marine Strategy Framework Directive)
The main objective of the Directive’s Framework on marine strategy is that the Member States of the EU shall take the necessary measures to achieve Good Environmental Status in their marine environment by the year 2020 at the latest. The Directive defines Good Environmental Status (GES) as:
“The environmental status of marine waters where these provide ecologically diverse and dynamic oceans and seas which are clean, healthy and productive” – Article 3.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EL/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32008L0056&from=EN
GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS –GES
Descriptor 10: Marine Litter
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/marine/good-environmental-status/descriptor-10/index_en.htm
TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY: Q & A
The European Commission adopts an ambitious new Circular Economy Package to boost competitiveness, create jobs and generate sustainable growth.
Key actions adopted today or to be carried out under the current Commission’s mandate include, inter alia, a strategy on plastics in the circular economy.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6203_el.htm
The European Commission will adopt a strategy on plastics in the circular economy, addressing issues of recyclability, biodegradability, the presence of hazardous substances in some plastics, causing concerns, and of the marine litter.
The European Commission, in its Communication “Towards a circular economy: A zero waste programme for Europe” has proposed the inspirational target of reducing marine litter by 30% by 2020 for the ten most common types of litter (including plastic bags) found on beaches, as well as for fishing gear found at sea, with the list adapted to each of the four marine regions in the EU. The activities for achieving this objective are already ongoing in Europe.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/index_en.htm