At the 20th session of the "Hainan Free Trade Port Policy Interpretation" series of press conferences – The non-degradable plastic products ban regulations of Hainan special economic zone, held on November 27th, known that Hainan’s new plastic ban regulations would come into effect on December 1st, 2024.
On September 27th of this year, the 7th session of the 13th People's Congress Standing Committeedeliberated and approved the "Decision of the Standing Committee of the Hainan Provincial People's Congress on Amending the 'Regulations on Banning disposable Non-Degradable Plastic Products in the Hainan SpecialEconomic Zone'" (hereinafter referred to as the "Decision"), which will take effect on December 1st, 2024. The "Decision" makes amendments and improvements to certain provisions, addressing the current shortcomings in Hainan’s plastic ban efforts. It emphasizes problem-oriented approaches, further strengthens the regulatory responsibilities of government departments and the business entity responsibilities of disposable plastic productsproducers, and refines relevant regulations to make them more targeted and practical in line with enforcement and supervision realities.
Compared to the "Regulations on Banning Disposable Non-Degradable Plastic Products in the Hainan Economic Special Zone" that came into effect on December 1st, 2020, the amendments reflect innovations and extensionsin areas of the establishment of a clear and structured supervisory and enforcement system, the broadening of enforcement coverage and operational effectiveness, and the improvement of social management systems for the plastic ban.
The "Decision" contains thirteen articles, primarily focusing on improving the regulatory and enforcement framework for plastic ban, encouraging the use of alternatives, reducing the source volume of disposable plastic products, further completing the legal responsibilities related to will raise the fines for violations related to the use of banned disposable non-degradable plastic products. Such fine will increase from a minimum of "1,000 yuan" - "10,000 yuan ifviolator was an organization."
