EU Considers Suing Germany Over Can Deposit Law

The European Union is considering mounting a lawsuit against Germany over its controversial can deposit law, according to a Friday report in the Financial Times Deutschland newspaper. EU Internal Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein has accused Germany of hindering foreign beverage producers who sell their soft drinks in recyclable containers. Bolkestein said the necessary steps will be taken as soon as next Wednesday. European Commission President Romano Prodi has long said that the EU would sue if Germany did not retract the parts of the law he said were at odds with European competition law by Oct. 1. German Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin has said he will ensure the system -- which imposes a 25 euro cent deposit on all single-use cans and bottles to encourage customers to return them to the place where they were bought -- will be simplified by the deadline.