Transposition amendment to the Act No. 79/2015 Coll. on waste, as amended (hereinafter referred to as “amendment”) approved by members of the parliament on November 2, 2021, relates to the single-use plastic products. Its requirements originate directly from the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment.
The amendment introduces the term “extended producer responsibility of the reserved plastic product,” it lists a number of responsibilities of the single-use plastic products manufacturer, specifies the labelling of those products and extends the information obligation of the producer of the reserved plastic products. It will enter into force on December 1, 2021.
For example, light-weight carrying plastic bags (with wall thickness up to 50 micrometers), tobacco products with filters, wet wipes, balloons, beverage cups and plastic food containers belong to such plastic products or products containing plastic.
Plastic beverage cups and plastic food containers shall be provided by the sellers of refreshment only for a fee. They will be also obliged to offer a reusable or biologically degradable alternative to the above packaging products.
The amendment also introduces evidence and reporting obligations of such single-use plastic packaging. Moreover, the producer of a single-use plastic packaging shall elaborate an annual report on measures adopted in order to reduce the consumption, and to notify the Ministry of Environment the progress achieved in reducing the consumption of single-use plastic products by April 30.
Certain plastic products for beverages fall also under the requirement for labelling of the single-use plastic products, informing the consumers on the most appropriate options for waste handling with the given product, inappropriate waste disposal procedures that should be avoided in relation to the product thereof, on negative environmental impacts of littering the waste, and on presence of plastic in the product.
We are working on more detailed information and particular modifications introduced by the amendment, and they will be available for you very soon.
