On December 19, 2018, the EU Council and European Parliament (EP) have provisionally agreed on a new Directive that sets restrictions on several types of single-use plastic products in the EU. These products include, among others, plastic cutlery and plates, plastic straws, articles made of oxo-degradable plastics, and food and beverage containers as well as cups made of expanded polystyrene. Further, EU Member States are requested to take “the necessary measures to achieve a measurable quantitative reduction in the consumption of . . . food containers made of plastic . . . used to contain food that is intended for immediate consumption . . . [and] plastic cups for beverages, including their cover and lids.”

The draft Directive was originally presented by the European Commission in May 2018 (FPF reported), followed by adoption by the EP (FPF reported) and start of negotiations with the EU Council.

An article published by regulatory news provider Chemical Watch on December 20, 2018, informed that the provisional agreement now reached between the Council and the EP still needs to be “confirmed by EU member state ambassadors.” Following this, “the Directive will be submitted for approval to Parliament and then return to Council for final adoption.”

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European Council (December 19, 2018). “Single-use plastics: Presidency reaches provisional agreement with Parliament.

European Parliament (December 20, 2018). “Parliament and Council agree drastic cuts to plastic pollution of environment.

European Parliament (December 20, 2018). “Plastic waste and recycling in the EU: facts and figures.

Chemical Watch (December 20, 2018). “EU bodies reach provisional agreement on single-use plastics ban.

Plastics Pollution Coalition (December 19, 2018). “Single-use plastics: European Commission welcomes ambitious agreement on new rules.

EEB (December 19, 2018). “It’s OFFICIAL: EU agrees unprecedented cuts to single-use plastics.

Lorraine Chow (December 19, 2018). “EU agrees to slash single-use plastics to halt marine pollution.EcoWatch

DW (December 19, 2018). “EU reaches agreement on single-use plastic ban.

Niamh Michail (December 19, 2018). “EU single-use plastic proposal on track to entering into force.Food Navigator

Plastics News Europe (December 19, 2018). “EU agrees to bans on many single-use plastics.

IBE-BVI (December 19, 2018). “Single use plastics, an update.

ECOS (December 20, 2018). “EU agrees unprecedented cuts to single-use plastics.

European Bioplastics (December 20, 2018). “Single-use plastics directive fails to acknowledge potential of biodegradable plastics.

Libby White and Tim Sykes (December 20, 2018). “Plastic waste is a shared responsibility.

Petcore Europe (December 20, 2018). “Petcore Europe – Update on SUP Directive proposal.

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