Trading standards carried out three test purchases from the company, the first in November 2003 and then twice in January 2004. Each of the items was ordered from the www.office-world.co.uk website and each was found to have excessive packaging with the products ordered only filling a small part of the packaging; 19% full in November 2003, 7% full and 29% full in January 2004. At Northampton magistrates court earlier this month the company pleaded guilty to one offence, regarding the 7% full box. However, the two other purchases were also taken into consideration and the company was fined £2,000 plus £550 costs. For a full copy of the article, please see: www.pack-plus.co.uk/news%202.htm#Fined%20foroverpackaging The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003 require that companies use the minimum amount of packaging, both in terms of weight and volume, to maintain the necessary levels of safety, hygiene and acceptance for the packed product and for the customer.
