Environmental Management (Prohibition of Plastic Carrier Bags) Regulations, 2019 (G.N. No.394 of 2019).

These Regulations consisting of 24 articles aim at (i) banning the import, export, manufacturing, sale, and use of plastic carrier bags regardless of their thickness; (ii) protecting human and animal health as well as the environment from the adverse effects of utilization of plastic carrier bags; and (iii) providing economic and financial incentives for the production and importation of alternative carrier bags. The Regulations prohibit the licensing authority to register or issue a license or permit to any person intending to import, export, manufacture or sell plastic carrier bags that have been prohibited. Part IV lists the items exempted, while Part V deals with the authorities required to ensure compliance and enforcement of these Regulations. General provisions regard, among other issues, the confiscation and disposal of plastic carrier bags.