Govt puzzled over texts for plastic packaging

Operators in the sector are faced with a puzzle between different regulations. During a recent consultation between members GICAM, debates are extended on the difficulties caused by the new regulations on the activities of production, import, marketing, distribution of plastic packaging including the entry into force occurred in April 2014.

After the economy discussions reported to Cameroon Tribune by Vincent Koute, head of the Economic Department of the GICAM, the understanding of the texts is a problem among operators.

In addition, the joint order of October 24, 2012 prohibited non-biodegradable thick plastic packaging of less than 60 microns, then on April 10, 2014 circular devoted rather banned out rightly any plastic packaging with less than 61 microns thick.

From operators in the sector, the latter provision is inoperative for some types of packaging such as prepackaged and products imported from the food industry, nurseries, pharmaceutical products, etc. Generally, "the willingness of businesses to comply with the new regulations is facing many impasses", according the GICAM.

An interpretation of the texts has repercussions on the repression experienced on the ground. "Given inconsistencies, ambiguities and even contradictions between the texts, the operators regularly face attempts to scam.

Quality control tools used by officers of this operation and their handling are also prone to bail", thinks Vincent Kouete. Similarly, companies believe that the repression is more active in business and other units of production and markets.

Indeed, for them, the controls in markets seem totally ineffective and they remain flooded by packages whose marketing is prohibited. Therefore, the dynamics observed since 2004 in the area of Cameroonian plastics that had gradually conquered market shares is brutally reversed since the entry into force of the regulations.

Ultimately, the operators of the sector review collective waste management solution. Exchanges were identified that plastics producers are mainly suppliers of other companies who use plastic packaging for the packaging of their products. The question of who bears the responsibility for management of plastic waste that will result from this relationship therefore arose.