Presidential Decree no. 9/2021 to ban the production and sales of single-use plastic products.

This Presidential Decree, made under provisions of the Environment Protection and Preservation Act (Act No. 4/93), provides for the implementation of the first phase of production and sales ban of single-use plastic items, in order to reduce the environmental impacts of plastic products, promote the use of sustainable alternatives, safeguard public health. The Decree covers the following items: single-use plastic-based drinking straw; cutleries, plates and stirrers; plastic shopping bags; lunch boxes; imported sweet Areca nuts in plastic packaging; plastic drinking cups below 250 ml; cotton buds with plastic stems; shampoo, soap, conditioner and lotion bottles in plastic packaging that are 50 ml and below. What is more, the Decree concerns the ban on the production of drinking water and beverages packed in plastic bottles starting from 1 June, 2022.