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International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

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and the Minister <strong>of</strong> Economic Affairs. For some issues supplementary endorsement is<br />

requested by the Minister <strong>of</strong> Environment or by the Minister <strong>of</strong> Public Health. 610<br />

The decision on which products are to be submitted to the ecotax is taken by the full<br />

federal Belgian government, presided by the prime minister. This partly explains the<br />

difficult genesis <strong>of</strong> the ecotax law.<br />

The collection <strong>of</strong> ecotaxes is the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Finance, <strong>Department</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Customs and Excise Duties. The ecotax is considered to be an excise duty.<br />

Maintenance <strong>of</strong> the scheme is the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Finance.<br />

30.4 Pre-implementation / Evaluation Studies Available<br />

The following reports are <strong>of</strong> particular relevance:<br />

� A. Heyerick, B. Mazijn and R. Doom (2003) Study in preparation <strong>of</strong> the evaluation<br />

<strong>of</strong> the federal environment-oriented production policy, Final report, Centrum voor<br />

duurzame ontwikkeling, University <strong>of</strong> Ghent, 2003.<br />

� R. Patesson (2001) Beverage packaging and containers, survey conducted with<br />

Belgian families –survey with across-the-border purchasers: The most important<br />

results, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CREATIC-CPSO.<br />

30.5 Environmental Benefits<br />

30.5.1 General Environmental Benefits<br />

30.5.1.1 Evaluation<br />

The impact <strong>of</strong> the ecotax on consumer behaviour remains unclear. A study<br />

undertaken in Wallonia regarding packaging/container methods used for milk and<br />

water products (2003) found that a large majority <strong>of</strong> the respondents (> 90%) were<br />

prepared to switch over to more eco-friendly packaging and containers at a price<br />

differential <strong>of</strong> €0.20. However, it should be kept in mind that this refers only to<br />

expressed preferences, not to actual consumer behaviour.<br />

Another survey arrived at the opposite conclusion, reporting that only a limited<br />

number <strong>of</strong> families would be prepared to change their consumption habits where a<br />

relative price differential existed between re-usable packaging/containers and<br />

disposable packaging/containers. 611 Other studies conducted on the topic <strong>of</strong> the ecopremium<br />

also appear to demonstrate that the levy has not been capable <strong>of</strong><br />

significantly influencing consumer behaviour. For instance one study revealed that<br />

610 It should be considered that the Belgian federal Minister <strong>of</strong> Environment has only limited<br />

competences; on product standards (eg pesticides) and on waste transit. The majority <strong>of</strong> competences<br />

are attributed to the three regional ministers <strong>of</strong> environment.<br />

611 R. Patesson (2001) Beverage packaging and containers, survey conducted with Belgian families –<br />

survey with across-the-border purchasers: The most important results, Université Libre de Bruxelles,<br />

CREATIC-CPSO.<br />

517<br />

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Review</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Waste</strong> <strong>Policy</strong>: Annexes

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