Material neutral European Association Pack2Go Europe, representing major foodservice packaging manufacturers, met EU officials in Brussels last week to discuss action against packaging imports from China and elsewhere that don’t meet Europe’s stringent standards.
They also warned sub-standard packaging could present health and safety risks for European consumers.
Tony Waters, managing director of food and drink packaging firm Solo Cup Europe and outgoing President of Pack2Go Europe, said packaging is expected to be manufactured to the highest levels of safety and quality in Europe.
“The problem is double standards are being applied because national market surveillance organisations and customs services don’t adequately check imports from outside the EU,” he said.
A survey of Pack2Go Europe’s members showed 87% of respondents reported experiencing loss in market share in the past that can be directly attributed to cheaper imports which may not be meeting the EU’s demanding standards.
Additionally, 73% of respondents said they are currently suffering from such unfair competition. The biggest losers may be consumers, however.
Jan Schuermann of packaging firm SwissPrimePack, the newly elected Pack2Go Europe boss, said it is too easy for third country producers to take shortcuts in packaging.
“We want the control authorities to put this issue on their priority list, which is why we met the experts in Brussels this week,” he said.
The survey also found nearly 60% of manufacturers believed service packaging users in Europe (such as convenience food stores) are not aware that imported products may not conform to EU requirements.
