2022, as amended by Legal Notice 130
2025. 1.
these regulations is the Single-Use Plastic Framework Regulations. Citation and commencement.
regulation 4 shall come into force on such a date as the Minister responsible for the environment may by notice in the Gazette establish. 2.
Directive (EU) 2019/904
the European Parliament and
the Council
5 June 2019 on the reduction
the impact
certain plastic products on the environment. Scope.
these regulations is in conflict with the provisions
the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations or the Waste Regulations or the Extended Producer Responsibility Framework Regulations, these regulations shall prevail. S.L. 549.43. S.L. 549.63. S.L. 549.
the Act; "biodegradable plastic" means a plastic capable
undergoing physical and biological decomposition, such that it ultimately decomposes into carbon dioxide (CO2), biomass and water, and is, in accordance with European Standards for Packaging, recoverable through composting and anaerobic digestion; * Sub-regulations
regulation 4 are not yet in force. S.L. 595.
the Malta Travel and Tourism Services Act, excluding nightclubs and discotheques; S.L. 549.63. "collection" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in regulation 4
the Waste Regulations; S.L. 549.141. "extended producer responsibility Scheme" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in regulation 3
the Extended Producer Responsibility Framework Regulations; "fishing gear" means any item or piece
equipment that is used in fishing or aquaculture to target, capture or rear marine biological resources or that is floating on the sea surface, and is deployed with the objective
attracting and capturing or
rearing such marine biological resources; "harmonised standard" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in point
Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012; "making available on the market" means any supply
a product for distribution, consumption or use on the market
Malta in the course
a commercial activity, whether in return for payment or free
charge; "Minister" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in article 2
the Act; S.L. 549.43. "packaging" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in regulation 3
the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations; "placing on the market" means the first making available
a product on the market
Malta; "plastic" means a material consisting
a polymer as defined in point 5
Regulation (EC) No 1907/ 2006, to which additives or other substances may have been added, and which can function as a main structural component
final products, with the exception
natural polymers that have not been chemically modified; S.L. 499.71. "port reception facility" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in sub-regulation
regulation 3
the Port Reception Facilities for the Delivery
Waste from Ships Regulations; "producer" means: SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FRAMEWORK [ S.L. 549.149 (a) any natural or legal person established in Malta that professionally manufactures, fills, sells or imports, irrespective
the selling technique used, including by means
distance contracts as defined in regulation 2
the Consumer Rights Regulations, and places on the market
Malta single-use plastic products, filled single-use plastic products or fishing gear containing plastic, other than persons carrying out fishing activities as defined in point
Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013
the European Parliament and
the Council; or S.L. 378.17. (b) any natural or legal person established in one Member State or in a third country that professionally sells in Malta directly to private households or to users other than private households, by means
distance contracts as defined in regulation 2
the Consumer Rights Regulations, single-use plastic products, filled single-use plastic products or fishing gear containing plastic, other than persons carrying out fishing activities as defined in point
Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013; S.L. 378.17. "producer responsibility organisation" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in regulation 3
the Extended Producer Responsibility Framework Regulations; S.L. 549.141. "separate collection" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in regulation 4
the Waste Regulations; S.L. 549.63. "single-use plastic product" means a product that is made wholly or partly from plastic and that is not conceived, designed or placed on the market to accomplish, within its life span, multiple trips or rotations by being returned to a producer for refill or re-used for the same purpose for which it was conceived; "tobacco products" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in regulation 2
the Manufacture, Presentation and Sale
Tobacco and Related Products Regulations; S.L. 315.10. "treatment" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in regulation 4
the Waste Regulations; S.L. 549.63. "waste" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in regulation 4
the Waste Regulations; S.L. 549.63. "waste fishing gear" means any fishing gear covered by the definition
"waste" in regulation 4
the Waste Regulations, including all separate components, substances or materials that were part
or attached to such fishing gear when S.L. 549.63. 3 4 [ S.L. 549.149 SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FRAMEWORK it was discarded, including when it was abandoned or lost. Consumption reduction. 4.
the singleuse plastic products listed in Part A
Schedule 1, in line with the overall objectives
the Union’s waste policy, in particular waste prevention, leading to a substantial reversal
increasing consumption trends. Those measures shall achieve a measurable quantitative reduction in the consumption
the single-use plastic products listed in Part A
Schedule 1 on the territory
Malta by the year 2026 compared to the year 2022.
Schedule 1 are made available at the point
sale to the final consumer, economic instruments such as instruments ensuring that those single-use plastic products are not provided free
charge at the point
sale to the final consumer. S.L. 549.43.
the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations for the purposes
preventing such products from becoming litter in order to ensure that they are substituted with alternatives that are re-usable or do not contain plastic. The measures may vary depending on the environmental impact
those single-use plastic products over their life cycle, including when they become litter.
sub-regulations
Schedule 1 that are provided empty or filled at the point
sale shall not be provided free
charge to final consumers by catering establishments: Provided that catering establishments shall properly inform consumers
the fee charged on such single-use plastic products at the point
sale: Provided further that the Minister shall by way
publication in the Gazette prescribe the fee applicable to such singleuse plastic products and the modalities whereby consumers shall be informed
such fees. The fee shall be charged to final consumers upon supply
such single-use plastic products and shall be clearly indicated in the related fiscal receipt. *Not yet in force. SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FRAMEWORK [ S.L. 549.149
reusable alternatives to the single-use plastic products listed in Part A
Schedule 1 at the point
sale as long as practically feasible: Provided that catering establishments shall properly inform consumers
the availability
reusable alternatives and that the fee referred to in sub-regulation
fer adequate incentives to consumers who bring their own reusable alternatives to the single-use plastic products listed in Part A
Schedule 1 for take-away consumption
food or beverages: Provided that catering establishments shall properly inform consumers
such incentives.
Schedule 1 shall not be provided empty or filled at the point
sale by any restaurant, cafeteria, bar, snack bar, lido and canteen, including those in schools, university campus, hospitals or any government building, for any food or beverages consumed on such premises.
the measures adopted pursuant to sub-regulation
measures adopted pursuant to this regulation shall form an integral part
and be consistent with the: (a) programme
measures established pursuant to regulation 10
the Marine Policy Framework Regulations; S.L. 549.62. (b) programme
measures established pursuant to regulation 12
the Water Policy Framework Regulations; S.L. 549.100. (c) waste management plans and waste prevention programmes established pursuant to regulations 28 and 29
the Waste Regulations; and S.L. 549.63. (d) waste reception and handling plans established pursuant to the Port Reception Facilities for the Delivery
Waste from Ships Regulations, S.L. 499.71. upon the first subsequent update
those plans or programmes in accordance with the relevant Maltese legislation and European *Not yet in force. 5 6 [ S.L. 549.149 SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FRAMEWORK Union legislative acts governing those plans or programmes, or into any other programmes drawn up specifically for that purpose.
Schedule 1 placed on the market and the reduction measures taken on the basis
the common methodology established in Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/162
4 February 2022 laying down rules for the application
Directive (EU) 2019/904
the European Parliament and
the Council as regards the calculation, verification and reporting on the reduction in the consumption
certain single-use plastic products and the measures taken by Member States to achieve such reduction. Product requirements. 5.
Schedule 1 placed on the market on the territory
Malta, which are manufactured from polyethylene terephthalate as the major component (‘PET bottles’) shall contain at least twenty-five per cent (25%) recycled plastic, calculated as an average for all PET bottles placed on the market on the territory
Malta.
Schedule 1 placed on the market on the territory
Malta, shall contain at least thirty per cent (30%) recycled plastic, calculated as an average for all such beverage bottles placed on the market on the territory
Malta.
Schedule 1 shall achieve the targets laid down in subregulation
the targets laid down in sub-regulations
Malta and whether such targets are being achieved individually or collectively, within four
the closing
the year, according to the procedure established by the Authority: Provided that the first reference year for which the information referred to in this sub-regulation shall be submitted to the Authority is 2023: Provided further that any information submitted to the Authority shall be audited by an independent auditor approved by the Authority.
Schedule 1 placed on the market shall bear a conspicuous, clearly legible and indelible marking on its packaging or on the product itself on the basis
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2151
17 December 2020 laying down rules on harmonised marking specifications on single-use plastic products listed in Part D
the Annex to Directive (EU) 2019/904
the European Parliament and
the Council on the reduction
the impact
certain plastic products on the environment, informing consumers
the following: Marking requirements. (a) appropriate waste management options for the product or waste disposal means to be avoided for that product, in line with the waste hierarchy laid down in regulation 4A
the Waste Regulations; and S.L. 549.63. (b) the presence
plastics in the product and the resulting negative impact
littering or other inappropriate means
waste disposal
the product on the environment.
this regulation are in addition to any other labelling and marking requirements for tobacco products contained, inter alia, in the Manufacture, Presentation and Sale
Tobacco and Related Products Regulations in relation to tobacco products. S.L. 315.10.
the single-use plastic products listed in Part B
Schedule 1 that do not comply with the requirements
this regulation shall be prohibited in accordance with the Restrictions on Placing on the Market
Single-Use Plastic Products Regulations. S.L. 549.140. 7. Deleted by Legal Notice 130
2025. 8.
the single-use plastic products listed in Section I and Section II
Schedule 1 shall, in order to fulfil their obligations under these regulations, participate in a packaging waste recovery organisation authorised in accordance with the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations, whether or not such products are packaging as defined in regulation 3. Extended producer responsibility for the single-use plastic products listed in Section III
Schedule 1 and fishing gear. S.L. 549.141. Extended producer responsibility for the single-use plastic products listed in Sections I and II
Schedule 1. S.L. 549.
regulation 6
the Extended Producer Responsibility Framework Regulations, and the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations, a packaging waste recovery organisation authorised in accordance with the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations acting on behalf
the producers referred in sub-regulation
Schedule 1: (
waste; and (c) cleaning up litter resulting from those products and the subsequent transport and treatment
that litter: Provided that the costs to be covered referred to in this sub-regulation shall not exceed the costs that are necessary to provide the services referred to therein in a cost-efficient way and shall be established in a transparent way between the actors concerned: Provided further that the costs
cleaning up litter shall be limited to activities undertaken by public authorities or on their behalf. Such activities shall be subject to prior approval
the Authority. The calculation methodology shall be developed in a way that allows for the costs
cleaning up litter to be established in a proportionate way. To minimise administrative costs, the Minister after consultation with the competent authority and the Agency may determine financial contributions towards the costs
cleaning up litter by setting appropriate multiannual fixed amounts. S.L. 549.141. S.L. 549.43.
regulation 6
the Extended Producer Responsibility Framework Regulations and the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations, a packaging waste recovery organisation authorised in accordance with the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations acting on behalf
the producers referred in sub-regulation
Schedule 1: (
that litter; (c) data gathering and reporting in accordance with point (iii)
paragraph (a)
sub-regulation
regulation 6
the Extended Producer Responsibility Framework Regulations: S.L. 549.141. Provided that the costs to be covered referred to in this sub-regulation shall not exceed the costs that are necessary to provide the services referred to therein in a cost-efficient way and shall be established in a transparent way between the actors concerned: Provided further that the costs
cleaning up litter shall be limited to activities undertaken by public authorities or on their behalf. Such activities shall be subject to prior approval
the Authority. The calculation methodology shall be developed in a way that allows for the costs
cleaning up litter to be established in a proportionate way. To minimise administrative costs, the Minister after consultation with the competent authority and the Agency may determine financial contributions towards the costs
cleaning up litter by setting appropriate multiannual fixed amounts.
the single-use plastic products listed in Sections I and II
Schedule 1, whether or not such products are packaging as defined in regulation 3 shall register and report in accordance with regulations 21 and 22
the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations: S.L. 549.43. Provided that in making use
existing databases established in regulation 9
the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations, the competent authority shall ensure that such databases contain separate entries for packaging and singleuse plastics covered by this regulation so as to ensure that data for packaging and single-use plastics can be identified for the purposes
this regulation: S.L. 549.43. Provided further that producers, including those producers which already hold a registration number in accordance with the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations, shall be issued a unique registration number identifying them as producers
either both packaging and single use plastic products or as producers
single-use plastic products listed in Sections I and II
Schedule 1. S.L. 549.43.
Schedule 1, whether or not such products are packaging as defined in regulation 3, in another Member State in which it is not established, shall appoint an authorised representative in that other Member State. The authorised representative shall be the person S.L. 549.43. 9 10 [ S.L. 549.149 SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FRAMEWORK responsible for fulfilling the obligations
that producer pursuant to these regulations on the territory
that other Member State. Authorisation to operate a producer responsibility organisation. S.L. 549.63. 9. Deleted by Legal Notice 130
2025. Charging
fees by the competent authority. 10. The competent authority may charge producers such fees as necessary to cover the costs
the administration
these regulations. Separate collection. S.L. 549.134. 11.
the products listed in Part D
Schedule 1 shall comply with the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations in order to ensure that the following minimum separate collection for recycling targets are attained: (a) by 1st January 2025, an amount
waste singleuse plastic products listed in Part D
Schedule 1 equal to seventy-seven per cent (77%)
such single-use plastic products placed on the market in a given year by weight; and (b) by 1st January 2029, an amount
waste singleuse plastic products listed in Part D
Schedule 1 equal to ninety per cent (90%)
such single-use plastic products placed on the market in a given year by weight: Provided that single-use plastic products listed in Part D
Schedule 1 placed on the market
Malta may be deemed to be equal to the amount
waste generated from such products, including as litter, in the same year in Malta: S.L. 549.63. S.L. 549.134. Provided further that such collection is without prejudice to sub-regulation
regulation 10B
the Waste Regulations and, or any other obligation under the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations.
the separate collection targets laid down in this regulation, as established in Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1752
1 October 2021 laying down rules for the application
Directive (EU) 2019/904
the European Parliament and
the Council as regards the calculation, verification and reporting
data on the separate collection
waste single-use plastic beverage bottles, shall apply. Awareness raising. 12. The Minister after consultation with the competent authority and the Agency shall take measures to inform consumers and to incentivise responsible consumer behaviour, in order to reduce litter from products covered by these regulations, and shall take measures to inform consumers
the single-use plastic products listed in Part E
Schedule 1 and users
fishing gear containing plastic about the SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FRAMEWORK [ S.L. 549.149 11 following: (a) the availability
re-usable alternatives, re-use systems and waste management options for those single-use plastic products and for fishing gear containing plastic as well as best practices in sound waste management carried out in accordance with paragraph 3
Schedule 5 to the Waste Regulations; S.L. 549.63. (b) the impact on the environment, in particular on the marine environment
littering and other inappropriate waste disposal
those single-use plastic products and
fishing gear containing plastic; and (c) the impact on the sewage network
inappropriate means
waste disposal
those single-use plastic products. 13. In order to determine whether a food container is to be considered as a single-use plastic product for the purposes
these regulations, in addition to the criteria listed in Schedule 1 as regards food containers, its tendency to become litter, due to its volume or size, in particular single-serve portions, shall play a decisive role: Specifications and guidelines on single-use plastic products. Provided that food containers with dried food or food that is sold cold requiring further preparation, containers containing food in more than single-serve portions or single-serve portion-sized food containers sold in more than one unit shall not be considered as single-use plastic products for the purposes
these regulations. 14. Any person shall be guilty
an
fence under these regulations if: (a) he fails to comply with any provisions
these regulations or fails to comply with permit conditions or with any order lawfully given in terms
any provision
these regulations; or (
any
the provisions
these regulations; or (d) he conspires or attempts, or aids, or abets, any other person by whatever means, including advertising, counselling or procurement to contravene the provisions
these regulations or to fail to comply with any such provisions, including any order lawfully given in terms
any
the provisions
these regulations, or to contravene any restriction, prohibition or requirement imposed by or under the said
fences. 12 [ S.L. 549.149 SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FRAMEWORK regulations. Punishments. 15. Any person who commits an
fence against these regulations shall, on conviction, be liable: (
committing an
fence against these regulations by means
a vehicle, the owner
the said vehicle, where applicable, is held liable in the same manner and degree: Provided further that the Court may order any person who has been found guilty
committing an
fence against these regulations to pay for the expenses incurred by the competent authority mentioned in these regulations as a result
the said
fence, the revocation
the permit issued by the competent authority and the confiscation
the corpus delicti, including the vehicle, if applicable. Applicability
the Criminal Code. Cap. 9. 16.
articles 23 and 30
the Criminal Code shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to proceedings in respect
fences against these regulations, sohowever that the disqualification from holding or obtaining a licence, permit or authority shall in no case be for less than one
article 370
the Criminal Code, proceedings for an
fence against these regulations shall be held before the Court
Magistrates (Malta) or the Court
Magistrates (Gozo), as the case may be, and shall be in accordance with the provisions
the Criminal Code regulating the procedure before the said courts as courts
criminal judicature.
the Criminal Code, the Attorney General shall always have a right
appeal to the Court
Criminal Appeal from any judgement given by the Court
Magistrates (Malta) or the Court
Magistrates (Gozo) in respect
proceedings for any
fence against these regulations. SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FRAMEWORK [ S.L. 549.149 SCHEDULE 1 Part A Single-use plastic products covered by regulation 4 on consumption reduction
up to three
the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations;
the Restrictions on Placing on the Market
Lightweight Plastic Carrier Bags Regulations. II. Single-use plastic products covered by regulation 8 on extended producer responsibility
2025. Part D Single-use plastic products covered by regulation 5 on product requirements and regulation 11 on separate collection Beverage bottles with a capacity
up to three
Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 that is in liquid form. SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FRAMEWORK [ S.L. 549.149 Part E Single-use plastic products covered by regulation 12 on awareness raising
up to three
the Restrictions on Placing on the Market
Lightweight Plastic Carrier Bags Regulations.
the beverage bottles listed in Part D
Schedule 1 that failed, either individually or collectively, to achieve the applicable plastic recycled content target set out in regulation 5 during the previous operational year, may be subject to an administrative penalty in accordance with regulation 5
the Act, calculated as follows: A*(B - C)*D = P where: "A" is the total weight, in tonnes
the beverage bottles listed in Part D
Schedule 1 placed on the market during the previous operational year; "B" is the minimum recycled plastic content target set out in regulation 5 applicable for that operational year; "C" is the content
recycled plastic in PET bottles or plastic bottles, calculated as an average for all PET bottles or plastic bottles placed on the market
Malta by the producers, either individually or collectively, during the previous operational year, provided that if C is greater than or equal to B, P would be considered to be equal to zero
the beverage bottles listed in Part D
Schedule 1 that failed, either individually or collectively, to achieve the minimum recycled plastic content target.
AI explanation based on the official legal text. Indicative, not a substitute for legal advice.