On April 10, 2020, the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) published the draft Inventory of Plastics Prohibited or Restricted from Production, Sale or Use [1] to solicit public comments. The consultation is set to end on April 19.
Earlier in January 2020, the NDRC, along with the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), rolled out the Notice on Further Enhancing Treatment of Plastic Pollution [2], pledging to gradually restrict or ban certain plastics and promote the use of their alternatives. Formulated in exact accordance with the Notice, the Inventory comprises two parts:
n Plastics prohibited from production and sale
² Plastic bags less than 0.025mm thick
² Polyethylene agricultural films less than 0.01mm thick
² Plastic products produced with medical waste
² Disposable foam plastic tableware
² Disposable plastic swabs
² Daily chemicals containing plastic microbeads
n Plastics restricted or prohibited from use
² Non-biodegradable plastic bags
² Non-biodegradable disposable plastic tableware
² Non-biodegradable disposable plastic straws
² Disposable plastic items provided at hotels and restaurants
² Plastic packaging used in express deliveries
The timelines for restrictions and prohibitions imposed on the items above are specified in the Notice. The Catalogue further clarifies the scope and definition of regulated items, which can be dynamically adjusted in light of the implementation of relevant measures in reality. Moreover, it also stipulates that in the event of any major public emergency, disposable plastics used for daily necessity supplies, catering services, etc. in specific regions can be exempt from the prohibitive or restrictive measures.
Should you have any comments or recommendations, please visit the NDRC website [3] to submit a feedback form to voice your concerns.
