Single-use plastics for Food Supplements and Food

The European Commission has published a document of guidelines on EU regulations concerning single-use plastics providing guidelines on the interpretation and application of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated June 5, 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment.

So as to reduce waste from single-use plastic products and promote the transition to innovative and sustainable business models, products and materials.

The Directive applies to all single-use plastic products listed in its annex, as well as to all products made from oxo-degradable plastics, and to fishing gear containing plastic.

These are selected products for which there are affordable plastic-free alternatives on the market: cotton swabs, cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, balloon sticks, as well as some expanded polystyrene products (cups and food and beverage containers) and all oxo-degradable plastic products.

The Guidelines on the rules for single-use plastics adopted will facilitate a correct and harmonised application of the key parts of the Directive, in particular on the definition of plastic, of single-use plastic products made entirely or partially of plastic, and the different elements covered by the Directive.