European Court of Justice to rule against German deposit scheme << Back to Main News Page Added: Friday, 4 June 2004 It is likely that, later this year, the European Court of Justice will rule that the German Government's deposit system is unlawful. The deposit system, imposed on single-use drinks packaging, has come under fire since it was introduced in January 2003. Now the Advocate General has come out in favour of complainants who have argued that the system does not comply with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, and breaches competition laws and mineral water bottling regulations. Mr Colomer, the Advocate General, has said that Germany should not favour one environmentally friendly form of packaging over another. He was quoted as saying that the German system "cannot be justified in terms of protecting the environment". The full judgement is expected later this year. For further information visit click here