In a statement, the association said the aim of an eco-tax should be to encourage the use of products that are environment-friendly and discourage the use of products that damage the environment.

The fact that a tax is being imposed across the board places these products on the same level. Indirectly, this will kill the idea of having green labels indicating products that cause little harm to the environment.

The association is concerned that the eco-tax will be a burden on consumers at a time when they are already facing rising taxes. Its introduction will hit the economy hard, and consumers will have to face a lower standard of living.

The added that although the law envisages the recycling of waste, which is positive, once the eco-tax has been paid by consumers they should be compensated for it.

The association is not against exemptions, but once decisions to this effect are taken they should be made public together with the reasons for such an exemption.

It cannot agree with the fact that important stakeholders, including the social partners, were not consulted before the law was proposed.

The association said it believes that the eco-tax should have been introduced after an education campaign aimed at encouraging consumers to buy environment-friendly products.