Plastics

Brazil Senate CAE Postpones Vote on National Deplastification Policy Bill

Brazil’s Senate Committee on Economic Affairs has postponed its vote on PL 258/2024 (National Deplastification Policy) and instead approved a public hearing to debate the bill, which would phase out single‑use plastics nationwide over a two‑year transition period if adopted.[^1^](https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/materias/2026/04/07/cae-adia-votacao-e-aprova-debate-sobre-politica-do-fim-do-plastico-de-uso-unico#:~:text=O%20PL%20258/2024%2C%20do%20senador,debate%2C%20cuja%20data%20ainda%20ser%C3%A1%20marcada.)[^2^](https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/audios/2026/04/cae-adia-votacao-do-fim-de-plasticos-descartaveis-e-aprova-debate#:~:text=um%20substitutivo%20que%20define%20prazo%20de%20dois%20anos%20para%20a%20substitui%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20dos%20pl%C3%A1sticos%20de%20uso%20%C3%BAnico%20no%20pa%C3%ADs.) The move signals growing political momentum for a federal single‑use plastics phase‑out, but also highlights that key design choices and timelines remain open to influence during the upcoming hearing, making this a critical moment for affected industries to prepare positions and assess potential transition scenarios.

10 Apr 2026, 15:27www12.senado.leg.brBrazil

US Commerce Issues Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission in Antidumping Review of Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags From China

In April 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued preliminary results and partially rescinded the 2024–2025 antidumping duty administrative review on polyethylene retail carrier bags from China, confirming that Crown Polyethylene Products remains part of the China-wide entity while rescinding the review for Nozawa due to no reviewable entries. Importers and retailers sourcing these plastic carrier bags from China should plan for continued exposure to the 77.57% China-wide antidumping duty rate and consider using the late-April and early-May 2026 comment and hearing windows to influence the final review outcome.

10 Apr 2026, 10:46federalregister.govUnited States

Netherlands ILT Reports Poor Compliance With Single-Use Plastic Cup Ban at Events

Dutch authorities reported widespread non-compliance with the 2024 single-use plastic ban at events, with most organizers failing to meet high-quality recycling targets required for exemptions. Businesses must shift from outreach-based compliance to strict operational adherence as the ILT signals a transition toward active enforcement and rising collection targets.

9 Apr 2026, 14:48ilent.nlNetherlands

England Opens 2025–2026 Carrier Bag Charge Reporting Period for Large Retailers

Defra has opened the 2025–2026 reporting cycle for carrier bag charges in England, requiring large retailers to track and report single-use bag sales. Businesses must maintain robust data collection for the current period to meet the May 2026 submission deadline and mitigate the risk of significant non-compliance penalties.

9 Apr 2026, 14:45gov.ukUnited Kingdom

India Notifies Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026

India has implemented the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, mandating minimum recycled-content targets for packaging and new labeling standards effective immediately. Businesses must now operationalize recycled-content tracking and certificate trading while ensuring packaging remains compliant with food-contact safety and labeling requirements.

9 Apr 2026, 07:35egazette.gov.inIndia

Netherlands Opens 2026 Circular Plastics NL Subsidy Module With €40 Million Budget

The Netherlands has launched a €40 million subsidy module for 2026 to support collaborative R&D and industrial showcases in circular plastic technologies. This funding incentivizes investment in advanced recycling and design-for-recycling, offering companies a strategic opportunity to de-risk the scaling of circular business models.

6 Apr 2026, 19:26zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

California Water Boards Tribal Webinar on Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund

California is launching a $5 billion Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund, with $500 million annual disbursements starting in July 2027 to support waste reduction initiatives. This significant long-term funding signals a shift toward state-supported circular economy projects and tribal-led environmental remediation, potentially impacting regional waste management infrastructure.

6 Apr 2026, 18:47content.govdelivery.comUnited States

Croatia’s Institute for Water Reports Monitoring Results for Plastic Additives in Waters

Croatia’s Institute for Water has published monitoring data confirming the widespread presence of DEHP and other plastic additives in national surface waters. Although current concentrations generally remain within legal limits, the high detection rate of phthalates signals ongoing environmental pressure that may drive future restrictions on plastic-derived substances.

5 Apr 2026, 19:37institutjjs.hrCroatia

Italy Proposes Compostability Requirement for Certain Single-Use Plastic Packaging From 2030

Italy proposes mandatory compostability for several single-use plastic packaging categories starting in 2030, aligning with broader EU circular economy goals. Businesses must accelerate the transition to certified biodegradable materials to avoid significant administrative penalties and maintain market access for food and cosmetic packaging.

5 Apr 2026, 18:48members.wto.orgItaly

UK: Environment Agency Updates Waste Export Standards for Indonesia and Malaysia After Malaysian WEEE Import Ban

The UK has updated waste export requirements for Southeast Asia, highlighting a total ban on electronic waste (WEEE) imports into Malaysia starting February 2026. Companies must urgently audit disposal chains to reroute WEEE and ensure Indonesian plastic exports meet tightened licensing and 2% contamination thresholds to maintain producer responsibility compliance.

5 Apr 2026, 05:51gov.ukUnited KingdomIndonesiaMalaysia

EU PAFF Committee Publishes 14 April 2026 Agenda On Novel Foods And Recycled PET

The EU PAFF Committee is set to vote on new novel food authorizations, food additive specifications, and mechanical PET recycling processes on April 14, 2026. These decisions will expand market access for specific recycled plastics and novel ingredients, requiring food and packaging manufacturers to update compliance strategies for upcoming safety standards.

4 Apr 2026, 11:53food.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Prepares Not To Object To PPWR Delegated Decision On Pallet Wrappings Reuse Exemption

The EU Council is set to approve a delegated act exempting specific pallet wrappings and straps from the 100% reuse requirements under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). This move provides essential regulatory clarity and operational relief for logistics sectors by defining the scope of transport packaging exemptions.

4 Apr 2026, 11:53data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

US Commerce Amends Antidumping Review Results for Granular PTFE Resin From India (2023–2024)

The US Department of Commerce has revised the antidumping duty margin for granular PTFE resin from India to 1.80% for a major producer, effective April 2, 2026. Importers must adjust cash-deposit rates and financial planning for future entries while preparing for the liquidation of past entries at the corrected rate.

4 Apr 2026, 11:49federalregister.govUnited States

Great Britain HSE Agency Opinion Proposes Carc. 1B GB MCL for EDTMP‑H

The UK HSE has proposed a new mandatory classification for EDTMP-H as a Category 1B carcinogen, aligning Great Britain with existing EU standards. This designation will trigger stricter workplace controls under COSHH and likely lead to future UK REACH restrictions on consumer use and potential SVHC listing.

3 Apr 2026, 18:00hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU/DK REACH Microplastics Restriction: First Plastics Granulate Reporting Deadline And Danish Webinar

The first annual reporting deadline for plastic granulate under the EU REACH microplastics restriction is May 31, 2026, covering 2025 usage and release data. Impacted companies must implement rigorous tracking for polymer identification and environmental loss estimates to meet new mandatory transparency and reporting standards.

2 Apr 2026, 08:35eur-lex.europa.euDenmarkEuropean Union

Simpler Household Recycling Rules Come Into Force Across England

England’s "Simpler Recycling" framework is now in effect, mandating consistent four-stream household waste collection across most local authorities as of March 2026. This standardisation provides the necessary infrastructure to support the UK’s packaging EPR and 2027 Deposit Return Scheme, streamlining compliance for producers and waste operators.

1 Apr 2026, 19:12gov.ukUnited Kingdom

European Commission Publishes Facts Page On New Packaging And Packaging Waste Regulation And PFAS Limits

The European Commission has detailed implementation requirements for the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), mandating 100% recyclability and banning specific single-use formats by 2030. Businesses must accelerate transitions to circular packaging designs and phase out PFAS in food-contact materials to ensure market access and meet upcoming collection and recycled content targets.

1 Apr 2026, 18:51environment.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

South Korea MFDS Adopts Stricter PVC Phthalate Limits and Recycled PP Criteria for Food-Contact Materials

South Korea has tightened migration limits for DEHP and DEHA in PVC food-contact materials and established criteria for using mechanically recycled polypropylene in packaging, effective March 2026. Manufacturers must phase out specific phthalates in PVC applications by March 2027 while evaluating new circular economy opportunities for recycled PP under strict closed-loop safety protocols.

1 Apr 2026, 18:48mfds.go.krSouth Korea

Japan Amends Packaging Recycling Ratios Under Containers and Packaging Recycling Act

Japan has updated the mandatory recycling ratios for containers and packaging under the Containers and Packaging Recycling Act, effective April 1, 2026. Affected producers and importers must adjust their compliance calculations and financial provisions to reflect these revised ministerial targets.

1 Apr 2026, 18:32kanpo.go.jpJapan

Japan Publishes Joint Ministerial Ordinance on Plastic Containers and Packaging Under Act on the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources

Japan finalized a joint ministerial ordinance on March 30, 2026, establishing detailed implementing rules for plastic containers and packaging under the Resource Use Promotion Act. Companies must evaluate packaging designs and supply chains to ensure compliance with these clarified resource-efficiency and recycling obligations for the Japanese market.

1 Apr 2026, 18:20kanpo.go.jpJapan