Law no. 4736/2020 concerning the incorporation of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment.

This Law provides for the incorporation of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment and therefore establishes measures to prevent the impact of plastic products on the environment and in particular on the aquatic environment, to prevent human health and to promote the transition to the circular economy with innovative and sustainable business models, products and materials, thus contributing to the development of the economy. The Law applies to single-use plastic products listed in Annexes I and II, products made from oxo-degradable plastic and fishing gear containing plastic. The Law defines the following relevant terms: plastic material; single-use plastic product; oxo-degradable plastic; fishing gear; fishing gear waste; market availability; harmonised standard; waste; extended producer responsibility programme; producer; separate collection; processing; packaging; biodegradable plastic; tobacco products.
The Law provides measures for: reduction in consumption, including measures concerning selling of food and beverages and measures for free drinking water distribution in municipal sports facilities and in municipal playgrounds; restrictions on placing on the market single-use plastic products and products made from oxo-degradable plastic; plastic product requirements and marking requirements; extension of extended producer responsibility programme, including cost of waste collection, transport and treatment; extended producer responsibility programme for fishing gear containing plastic, aiming at reducing fishing gear discards in the marine environment and the recycling of fishing gear waste; separate collection for waste of single-use plastic products; awareness measures, including: information for consumers about the labelling, environmental impact of dumping into the environment and of other inappropriate waste disposal methods; implementation and coordination of measures; reporting; controls; penalties. Other matters covered by this Law concern amendment of articles of various Law, concerning exceptions and exemptions from the environmental fee and the ban on classification for old polluting vehicles; register of environmental auditors.