The Belgian Constitutional Court dismisses a State aid claim filed by economic operators seeking the annulment of a law imposing reusable packages more heavily than "one way" packages (Fédération royale de l’industrie des Eaux et boissons rafraichissantes)

Factual background The Fédération royale de l'industrie des Eaux et boissons rafraichissantes (the “Federation”) sought the annulment of a law of March 2007. The Federation alleged that the law constituted State aid, even if the measure pursues the legitimate objective of protection of environment, as it grants an advantage to some categories of products (reusable packages), and puts other types of products (‘one way' packages) at a disadvantage. Under the law, producers of reusable package benefit from a tax exemption. As the benefit is financed through State resources, it leads to a lack of resources for the State. The Applicant alleges that the Belgian market is particularly open, so the measure is likely to affect trade between Member States, and that both products belong to the