Environment: Survey/intermodal/ emissions/packaging
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Freight Moved by FIG Vs The annual report of the Continuing Survey of Roads Goods Transport* shows: • Freight moved by HGVs increased by 1.9% to 150bn tonne-km in 1997. This was less than the rise in Gross Domestic Product (up 3.2%) or construction output (up 2.4%); but more than the increase in manufacturing output (up 1.5%); • Public haulage accounted for 64% of goods lifted and 75% of goods moved.
* The Transport of Goods by Road in Great Britian 1997 is available, priced £10, from the DOT. Contact: 01709 891 318.
Piggyback The first commercial piggyback railfreight service is now in operation between Deanside, Glasgow and Willesden, London.
Cleaner air The Cleaner Vehicles Task Force will be active during July testing for vehicle emissions and issuing fines where vehicles fail the tests.
Packaging
New regulations* specifying essential requirements for all packaging placed on the market came into force on 31 May. They require that packaging must:
• Be of a weight and volume that is sufficient to maintain the safety, hygiene and acceptance of the packed product • Be manufactured so that the presence of noxious and other hazardous substances is minimised; • Be recoverable through recycling, incineration with energy recovery, or composting/ biodegradation; • Be reusable; • Meet concentration limits for lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium.
The regulations will be enforced by Trading Standards Officers, starting from 1 January 1999.
* Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998 No 1165) is available from the Stationery Office, priced £1.95.