Single-Use Plastics Regulations 2026.

The Single-Use Plastics Regulations 2026 establish a legal framework to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastic products in Gibraltar through the implementation of obligations equivalent to those contained in Directive (EU) 2019/904. The Regulations apply to specified single-use plastic products, products made from oxo-degradable plastic, and fishing gear containing plastic, while exempting certain medical devices, medicinal products, and products intended solely for use or sale on ships and aircraft. The Government is required to achieve a measurable reduction in the consumption of designated single-use plastic products compared with 2022 levels and may adopt measures such as consumption reduction targets, economic instruments, availability of reusable alternatives, and agreements with economic sectors. The Regulations also require awareness-raising measures concerning sustainable alternatives, waste management practices, and the environmental consequences of littering and improper disposal. The Regulations prohibit the placing on the market of a range of specified single-use plastic products, including certain cutlery, plates, straws, beverage stirrers, cotton bud sticks, balloon sticks, and expanded polystyrene food and beverage containers, as well as all products made from oxo-degradable plastic. Additional product requirements apply to beverage containers, including obligations for tethered caps and lids, minimum recycled plastic content in beverage bottles, and mandatory consumer markings on selected products such as wet wipes, tobacco products with filters, sanitary products, and beverage cups. The Regulations also establish an extended producer responsibility regime under which producers must finance awareness-raising measures, waste collection, litter clean-up, treatment costs, and related data collection activities. Specific obligations apply to producers of fishing gear containing plastic, and producer registration requirements are introduced for persons placing regulated products on the market. Separate collection targets are established for waste plastic beverage bottles. The Regulations provide for enforcement through the designation of a competent authority and the appointment of authorised officers with powers of entry, inspection, sampling, seizure, and detention. Offences are created for breaches of key prohibitions and obligations, including the unlawful placing on the market of prohibited products, failures relating to product requirements, non-compliance with producer responsibility obligations, and obstruction of authorised officers.