This measure should apply across the EU: under the new directive Member States should ensure that economic operators selling food do not provide plastic carrier bags free or charge; however, it should not apply to bags which are necessary for food hygiene or to very lightweight plastic bags or their alternatives (see point 6).

B. whereas plastic materials are becoming increasingly diverse and their use is on the rise, leading to larger volumes of waste and increasing combination with other materials and compounds; whereas plastic accumulates in large quantities (a total of 80 MT is estimated to be floating in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans) and persists in the environment for hundreds of years, killing marine life, provoking toxic reactions and releasing endocrine disrupters, substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction , nanoparticles, and persistent organic pollutants into the ecosystems and hence the food chain; whereas in 2010 ...[+++]alone, 95,5 billion plastic bags were placed on the EU market, the majority of which were intended to be used only once, while they are restricted or banned in many countries;

In view of the lack of proper identification of plastic containing flame retardants and the inherent difficulty in distinguishing flame retardant plastic from ordinary plastic, most recyclers do not process any plastic from WEEE".

Commission Directive 2002/67/EC of 18 July 2002 on the labelling of foodstuffs containing quinine, and of foodstuffs containing caffeine (Text with EEA relevance)

on the labelling of foodstuffs containing quinine, and of foodstuffs containing caffeine

EUROPA - EU law and publications - EUR-Lex - EUR-Lex - 32002L0067 - EN - Commission Directive 2002/67/EC of 18 July 2002 on the labelling of foodstuffs containing quinine, and of foodstuffs containing caffeine (Text with EEA relevance)