Government Extends Deadline for Compliance with Biodegradable Plastic Regulations

The government is making changes to plastic regulations in light of upcoming international discussions about a new global agreement to tackle plastic pollution.

This agreement, set to be finalized by December 2024 and approved by participating countries in 2025, will include rules about defining different types of biodegradable plastics and banning harmful chemicals in them.

As part of this, the deadline for businesses to follow certain plastic rules has been extended. Specifically, companies are being time until August 31, 2025 to comply with a regulation stating that biodegradable or compostable plastic bags shouldn’t be made from petroleum-based materials.

However, no changes have been to the specific standards outlined in the Regulations regarding biodegradable and compostable plastic bags at this time. This means the existing standards will continue to apply for now.

Source: Cabinet