20/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - In a press release, Peter Hoffmeyer, President of the Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungswirtschaft (BDE) has broadly welcomed the European Court of Justice rulings on the legality of the German deposit system for reprocessing single-use drinks packaging (see Europe of 15 December, p.15). He is pleased that the Court of Justice recognised the need for suitable transition periods to take account of the interests of consumers and industry.