The European Commission (EC) has released a statement confirming that last Wednesday (26 September), commission officials in ‘several member states’ carried out ‘unannounced inspections’ at the premises of purchasers of scrap batteries and other lead scrap (for the production of recycled lead) that were suspected of being part of a ‘recycling cartel’.
‘The commission has reasons to believe that the companies concerned may have violated Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which prohibits cartels and restrictive business practices’, reads the statement released by the EC on Saturday (29 September).
It went on to urge that although unannounced inspections are a preliminary step in investigations into suspected cartels, they do not mean that the companies are guilty.
‘The fact that the commission carries out such inspections does not mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself. The commission respects the rights of defence, in particular the right of companies to be heard in antitrust proceedings’, it added.
The commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the national competition authorities.
Neither the names of the companies investigated, nor the countries in which the investigations took place were specified.
The investigation continues.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.