Article 12
Information systems 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that databases on packaging and packaging waste are established, where not already in place, on a harmonized basis in order to contribute to enabling Member States and the Commission to monitor the implementation of the objectives set out in this Directive. 2. To this effect, the databases shall provide in particular information on the magnitude, characteristics and evolution of the packaging and packaging waste flows (including information on the toxicity or danger of packaging materials and components used for their manufacture) at the level of individual Member States. 3. In order to harmonize the characteristics and presentation of the data produced and to make the data of the Member States compatible, Member States shall provide the Commission with their available data by means of formats which shall be adopted by the Commission one year from the date of entry into force of this Directive on the basis of Annex III, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 21. 4. Member States shall take into account the particular problems of small and medium-sized enterprises in providing detailed data. 5. The data obtained shall be made available with the national reports referred to in Article 17 and shall be updated in subsequent reports. 6. Member States shall require all economic operators involved to provide competent authorities with reliable data on their sector as required in this Article.