Regulations in the European Union

Plastic bags regulations in the EU

In 2017, the average EU citizen consumed 198 plastic carrier bags. After the Directive (EU) 2015/720 regarding the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags was enacted, the national governments of the member states introduced different regulations in their countries in order to reduce the consumption. The first goal set for the end of 2019 was to reach a consumption of 90 lightweight plastic carrier bags on average. It was almost achieved with 93 lightweight plastic carrier bags used. By the end of 2025, the target is that only 40 bags should be consumed per citizen.

Some examples of different member state regulations concerning lightweight plastic bags:

France

Since 1 July 2016, single-use lightweight (thickness <50 μm) plastic bags (no matter which kind of plastic) are forbidden at the point of sale. Since 1 January 2017, single-use lightweight (<50 μm) plastic bags are also forbidden for the packing of goods at the point of sale (e.g. for fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, fish). However, compostable bio-sourced lightweight plastic bags are allowed for this case.

Germany

A voluntary agreement between the German Federal Environment Ministry and the German Trade Association (HDE) was introduced on 1 July 2016. It involves a fee for carrier bags of €0.05 to €0.50 per bag – for larger and thicker bags, the fee is one euro. From the beginning of 2022, retailers are no longer allowed to hand out lightweight plastic carrier bags with a wall thickness of 15 to 50 μm to their customers. Particularly light plastic carrier bags (thickness <15 μm) are exempted from this legislation.

Italy

Italy introduced a law in 2011 stating that single-use plastic shopping bags with thicknesses <60 μm (100 μm for food-contact applications) distributed by retail stores must be made from biodegradable plastic, certified compostable according to EN 13432. In 2023, a plastics tax came into force which applies to certain disposable products such as plastic bottles, carrier bags and food containers. It aims to lower the production and consumption of single-use plastic products.

Spain

Since July 1, 2018, all plastic bags must be charged for. The exception are ultra-lightweight bags (<15 µm) which are primarily used for packaging loose food products (necessary to prevent food waste). Also excluded are thicker bags (>50 µm) with a recycled plastic content of at least 70% promoting the use of recycled plastic. Since 2020, thicker bags (thickness >50 µm) must have a recycled plastic content of at least 50%. In 2023, Spain introduced a tax rate of €0.45/kg on non-reusable plastic packaging (e.g. plastic bags, tableware, lids, straws).

Sweden

In Sweden there are two regulations concerning plastic bags; one from 2016 (Förordning (2016:1041) om plastbärkassar) which states that from 1 June 2017 businesses and operators who professionally provide plastic carrier bags to their consumers have an obligation to inform them of the environmental impact of plastic carrier bags.

From 1 March 2020 there has been a new law in Sweden (Lag (2020:32) om skatt på plastbärkassar) which puts a tax on single-use plastic carrier bags of SEK 3 per bag. For small plastic bags (volume <7 l and thickness <15 µm) the tax is SEK 0.30 per bag.

Additional examples of countries that extend those regulations to paper carrier bags:

Croatia

From the beginning of 2022, the use of lightweight plastic carrier bags, with the exception of very light ones, is banned. A fee is in place not only for lightweight plastic carrier bags, but also for paper carrier bags with plastic windows. The fee for the latter is typically lower.

Denmark

In 2021, the average consumption of plastic bags per person in Denmark was 32. One of the measures taken to encourage people to bring their own bag was to level a 4 DKK tax on plastic bags and paper bags in shops and to ban thin plastic bags. The very thin plastic bags for fruit and vegetables are still legal due to food waste control and food hygiene.

Portugal

Portugal has prohibited the free provision of all carrier bags, regardless of material, since July 2021. The only exemption from this is bags used to package loose items or bulk products.