Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04THEHAGUE3280
2004-12-16 12:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

REPLY, UNITED STATES CONCERN OVER THE EU BATTERY DIRECTIVE

Tags:  EIND ETRD SENV NL EUN 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

161221Z Dec 04
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 003280 

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO PENELOPE NAAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EIND ETRD SENV NL EUN
SUBJECT: REPLY, UNITED STATES CONCERN OVER THE EU BATTERY DIRECTIVE

REF: SECSTATE 259043

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 003280

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO PENELOPE NAAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EIND ETRD SENV NL EUN
SUBJECT: REPLY, UNITED STATES CONCERN OVER THE EU BATTERY DIRECTIVE

REF: SECSTATE 259043


1. In response to reftel, the Netherlands, in its role as EU Preside
proposed amendments to the EU Battery Directive ("Directive"). As a
government advocates an unqualified ban on all portable cadmium, merc


2. The Dutch already have a collection system in place for small chem
Collection bins are located in supermarkets, stores, schools and offi
batteries at "Chem-cars," collection vans reminiscent of ice cream tr
municipalities while playing music as a clarion call to small waste c
supplement the national collection system with their own systems.


3. The Netherlands has set collection targets at ninety per cent of a
batteries represent the sum of collected and discarded batteries. A
and Environment (VROM) official told EmbassyOff the Netherlands is no
one per cent collection rate.


4. In the Netherlands, the 1995 Batteries Management Decree ("Decree"
batteries weighing 1000 grams or less by battery manufacturers and im
battery manufacturers and importers subsidize all collection activity
products containing easily changeable batteries or separate batteries
manufacturers and importers" under the Decree and are required to col
nonprofit organization, implements the battery collection and recycli
compliance.


5. The Netherlands has not conducted an assessment of the Directive'
appliance and battery manufacturers because -- as a VROM official exp
of the variety of batteries proscribed by the proposed EP ban in the

SOBEL