Plastics

France Consults on Draft Order Extending REP Oils Scheme to Oil Containers

France is consulting in May 2026 on a draft ministerial order that integrates containers for lubricating and industrial oils into the extended producer responsibility scheme, aligns obligations with packaging REP frameworks, and fine-tunes financing, R&D and hazardous-chemical-product thresholds. If adopted from mid-2026, the order will tighten collection, recycling and prevention trajectories for oil containers, create cross-scheme compensation rules, and set a series of 2027–2030 milestones that eco-organismes, oil and packaging producers, and waste operators must build into their REP strategy and investment planning.

15 May 2026, 18:34consultations-publiques.developpement-durable.gouv.frFrance

Slovenia Recalls Black Plastic Brabantia Ladle Over Primary Aromatic Amines Migration

Slovenia’s Health Inspectorate has ordered the recall of a black plastic Brabantia ladle sold by LES-MMS d.o.o. in Lesnina stores after tests, triggered by an EU RASFF notification, found excessive migration of primary aromatic amines into food. This reinforces regulatory scrutiny of chemical safety in plastic food-contact utensils and signals that manufacturers and retailers must ensure robust material compliance controls and traceability for kitchenware placed on the EU market.

15 May 2026, 13:35gov.siSloveniaEuropean Union

EU Council WPIEI (Global) Agenda for 20 May 2026 Meeting on Plastics Treaty and Global Water

The Council of the EU has published the agenda for its 20 May 2026 Working Party on International Environment Issues meeting, focused on debriefing UN plastics treaty negotiations, preparing for the 2026 UN Water Conference, and reviewing UNEP/UNEA work and the next Global Environment Outlook. While the notice does not itself create new obligations, it signals EU coordination ahead of key UN plastics and water milestones that are likely to influence future international rules on plastic pollution, water management and broader environmental governance.

15 May 2026, 12:05data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

EU NGOs Oppose Corporate Bid To Delay PPWR PFAS Ban And Reuse Rules

In May 2026, more than 160 NGOs and allied organisations wrote to EU leaders opposing a late-stage industry campaign to delay and reopen key provisions of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, including the August 2026 PFAS ban in food-contact packaging and core single-use and reuse measures. This exchange highlights significant political pressure around PPWR implementation and raises real risk that PFAS, single-use plastic and reuse obligations could be weakened or delayed, so companies should closely monitor any institutional response and be ready to defend or adjust current compliance investment plans.

14 May 2026, 18:43rethinkplasticalliance.euEuropean Union

European Commission Publishes Factual Summary of Public Consultation on Single-Use Plastics Directive Evaluation

The European Commission has published a factual summary of its 2025–2026 public consultation on the Single-Use Plastics Directive, capturing stakeholder feedback that will inform the directive’s evaluation due by 3 July 2027. Responses point to strong support for tougher EU action but also highlight scope gaps (especially tobacco filters), definitional and enforcement issues, and business cost concerns, signalling potential future tightening and clarification of single-use plastic product obligations.

14 May 2026, 12:28eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Cefic Publishes Position Paper on Sustainability Criteria for Recycling Technologies Under EU PPWR Delegated Act

Cefic has published a position paper urging the European Commission to adopt technology-neutral, input- and end-use-based sustainability criteria for recycling technologies under the PPWR delegated act on Article 7(9), explicitly recognising the role of chemical recycling for complex plastic waste. The paper signals that EU chemical and packaging value chains want criteria that support investment in chemical recycling, safeguard high-quality recycled outputs, and ensure a level playing field with imported recyclates, shaping how PPWR implementation could affect packaging design and recycling strategies.

14 May 2026, 09:23cefic.orgEuropean Union

Netherlands PBL Sets Out Policy Visions for a Circular Plastics Economy

PBL has issued a 55-page report outlining four stakeholder visions and three concrete action perspectives to guide the Netherlands’ transition to a circular plastics economy within its 2050 fully circular economy ambition. The report introduces no immediate obligations but signals that more coherent, long-term and legally anchored circular plastics frameworks are being considered, providing an early indicator of future policy direction that companies should track.

13 May 2026, 19:18pbl.nlNetherlands

European Commission Imposes Provisional Anti-Dumping Duty on PET Spunbond Imports From China

From mid-May 2026 the European Commission is applying provisional anti-dumping duties of up to 50 % on imports of PET spunbond non-woven polyester sheets from China into the EU. EU importers of these carrier fabrics for roofing membranes face immediate cost increases and potential sourcing shifts while the investigation proceeds towards a definitive decision on long-term duties later in 2026.

13 May 2026, 12:38eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

New Jersey Senate Bill S4230 Would Permanently Exempt Certain Polystyrene Foam Food Service Products

New Jersey has posted an early synopsis for Senate Bill S4230 for the 2026–2027 session indicating an intent to permanently exempt certain polystyrene foam food service products from the State’s existing prohibition on selling or providing such items. If this bill progresses and is enacted, it would narrow New Jersey’s polystyrene food service packaging ban and could ease compliance constraints and reopen packaging options for affected food service businesses and suppliers.

13 May 2026, 11:48njleg.state.nj.usUnited States

UK Parliament Bill Would Require Microplastic Filters on New Washing Machines in England

A UK Private Members’ Bill introduced in 2024 would require microplastic-catching filters on all new domestic and commercial washing machines sold or used in England, with implementing regulations in force no later than 1 January 2029. If progressed, appliance manufacturers and brands will need to redesign products and supply chains to integrate compliant filters, plan for the 2029 deadline, and prepare communications on microplastic emissions and environmental performance.

12 May 2026, 13:04publications.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

Peru Ministry of Health Proposes Amendment to Article 119 on Food-Contact Materials and Packaging

Peru’s Ministry of Health has proposed a Supreme Decree to amend Article 119 of its national food and beverage hygiene regulation, tightening rules for food-contact materials and packaging, prohibiting reuse of non-food containers, and aligning interim requirements with US FDA and EU food-contact standards. If adopted, manufacturers, importers and packaging suppliers will need to ensure their food-contact packaging complies with EU and US benchmarks, prepare for a forthcoming Peruvian technical regulation, and consider engaging in the consultation running into July 2026.

12 May 2026, 12:56members.wto.orgPeru

Colorado House Passes SB26-171 on Disposal of Preproduction Plastic Materials

Colorado's SB26-171 has cleared the House, advancing legislation that would restrict disposal of preproduction plastic materials to solid waste facilities holding a certificate of designation, with a planned effective date of 12 August 2027 if enacted. Plastics manufacturers and waste operators in Colorado should prepare to route pellet and other preproduction plastic waste only through appropriately designated solid waste sites, using the lead time to review permits, transportation practices and disposal contracts before the 2027 start date.

11 May 2026, 12:04leg.colorado.govUnited States

Brazilian Senate To Analyse Bill Banning Plastic Microbeads in Cosmetics and Hygiene Products

In May 2026, Brazil’s Federal Senate received Bill PL 2.157/2026, a nationwide proposal to ban the manufacture, import and sale of personal care products and cosmetics containing intentionally added plastic microbeads. If enacted, this would force brands, contract manufacturers and suppliers serving the Brazilian market to phase out microplastics in rinse-off formulations, tighten ingredient transparency and anticipate similar controls in other jurisdictions.

11 May 2026, 11:39www25.senado.leg.brBrazil

Minnesota Senate Gives Second Reading To SF 5073 Agriculture Omnibus With PFAS-Reducing Packaging Funding

In May 2026, the Minnesota Senate advanced omnibus agriculture bill SF 5073 to second reading, keeping language that channels Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) funding toward fibre-based barrier packaging designed to reduce PFAS and plastics use in packaging products. If enacted, this would not directly ban PFAS but would use targeted state funding to accelerate PFAS-free packaging innovation, a signal that packaging, agrifood and materials suppliers should track for future market and policy shifts.

11 May 2026, 11:16revisor.mn.govUnited States

New Jersey Assembly Bill A4908 Would Prohibit Green Acres Funding for Artificial Turf Fields

In May 2026, New Jersey introduced Assembly Bill A4908 to bar state Green Acres programme funds from financing the purchase, installation, use, or replacement of artificial turf fields. If enacted, this would immediately shift publicly funded parks and sports projects toward natural-grass solutions and signal rising regulatory and reputational pressure on PFAS- and microplastics-intensive artificial turf systems.

11 May 2026, 11:16pub.njleg.govUnited States

EU Updates Union Register of Novel Recycling Technologies for Food-Contact Plastics (Version 1.2.2, 27 April 2026)

European Commission DG SANTE has published version 1.2.2 of List 5 in the Union register of Novel Technology Numbers for recycled plastic food-contact materials, expanding the register to 27 validated novel recycling technologies as of 27 April 2026. This signals that the NTN register is becoming a central compliance reference, so recyclers and food-contact packaging value chains should ensure their technologies are correctly registered and that documentation and supplier due diligence align with the Union register entries.

11 May 2026, 10:30food.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Aruba Court: Customs Detention Of Single-Use Plastic Imports Cannot Be Challenged Via Tax Objection

An Aruba court has confirmed that customs detention of allegedly banned single-use plastic imports is an enforcement measure under existing customs and environmental law that cannot be challenged via the tax objection procedure, with disputes over the plastics ban itself belonging in the general administrative courts. This narrows the procedural options for importers of plastic consumer goods into Aruba, signalling a firm enforcement stance on the single-use plastics regime and reinforcing that detained shipments will remain under customs control unless re-exported or successfully challenged in the correct non-tax forum.

10 May 2026, 18:45uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlAruba

New Jersey Bill A4965: Phased Ban on Single-Use Plastic Toiletry Bottles in Hotels

New Jersey lawmakers have introduced Assembly Bill A4965 to phase out single-use plastic toiletry bottles in hotel guest rooms through a staged statewide ban. If enacted, hotels and amenity suppliers would need to shift to refillable or non-plastic formats, realign housekeeping practices around six- and twelve-month compliance horizons, and treat the state rules as pre-empting stricter local ordinances.

9 May 2026, 19:04pub.njleg.govUnited States

Belgium Adopts Decree Assenting to Interregional EPR Cooperation Agreement on Certain Waste Streams and Litter

In March 2026 Belgium adopted a decree assenting to an inter-regional cooperation agreement that creates a national extended producer responsibility and litter framework for certain waste streams. This makes the new REP framework, which implements parts of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, a concrete compliance priority for affected producers and producer responsibility organisations operating across the Belgian regions.

9 May 2026, 14:22eur-lex.europa.euBelgium

Colorado SB26-171 Advances Preproduction Plastic Disposal Bill to Full House

Colorado is advancing SB26-171, which would require disposal of preproduction plastic materials only at solid waste disposal sites and facilities that hold a certificate of designation, with the House Energy & Environment Committee sending the bill to the full House in May 2026. If enacted, this would tighten waste-handling controls for preproduction plastics in Colorado, forcing businesses to route disposal through permitted solid waste facilities and potentially increasing compliance costs and scrutiny of waste practices.

9 May 2026, 14:21leg.colorado.govUnited States