Nepal issues new plastic bag directive, bans bags thinner than 40 microns
Summary
Nepal has issued a new directive banning plastic bags thinner than 40 microns and establishing standards for production, import, and use, including mandatory color-coding and producer responsibilities under the Extended Producer Responsibility framework.
Key Points
- Nepal's Government has issued a new Plastic Bag (Regulation and Control) Directive, 2082, replacing the previous 2068 directive.
- The directive bans production, import, storage, sale, and use of plastic bags thinner than 40 microns and sets minimum size requirements.
- It introduces mandatory color-coding for plastic bags and requires producers to comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations, including proper waste disposal.
- The Environment Department is authorized to enforce compliance, with provincial and local governments encouraged to adopt and regulate accordingly.
