2020/0676/MT
EC/EFTA
MT Malte
  • S10E - Emballages
2021-01-29
2020-11-03

Lightweight plastic carrier bags

Restrictions on Placing on the Market of Lightweight Plastic Carrier Bags Regulations, 2020

The draft Regulations aim at restricting the placement on the national market of lightweight plastic carrier bags in accordance with Directive (EU) 2015/720 amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste. Specifically, the draft LN will prohibit:

- As from 1st January 2021, the importation, intra-Community acquisition, and manufacturing, in the course of a commercial activity, of any lightweight plastic carrier bags; and

- As from 1st January 2022, any supply of lightweight plastic carrier bags for distribution, consumption or use on the market in Malta, in the course of a commercial activity, whether in return for payment or free of charge.

However, plastic carrier bags not intended for circulation on the market of Malta (e.g. local manufacturing intended for export) are excluded from the scope of these draft Regulations.

In line with Article 4(1a) of Directive 94/62/EC, Malta has opted to exempt the following plastic carrier bags from the aforementioned prohibitions:

(a) Very lightweight plastic carrier bags;

(b) Biodegradable and compostable plastic carrier bags; and

(c) Reusable plastic carrier bags.