The UK supply chain sector is invited to have their say over regulation changes for single-use plastics.
Measures have been introduced since 2011 to tackle the issue of single-use plastic waste, including plastic bags, cutlery, straws and food and drink containers.
Scotland, England and Wales have implemented bans on certain products while Northern Ireland has a plan for future restrictions. Restrictions introduced to date have been introduced at different times but are similar in substance.
A review has now been launched by the Office for the Internal Market (OIM), part of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which provides advice and analysis to the government to support the effective operation and future policy for the UK internal market.
The review builds on the work of the OIM’s latest annual report which found that supermarkets have tended to adopt a ‘UK wide’ approach when using single-use plastic items like cutlery, plates and bowls – meaning they adapt to the regulatory environment by using items which meet trading rules in all parts of the UK or at least all parts they trade in, rather than using different products in each nation.
The OIM now wants to hear from a wide range of stakeholders including SMEs and others in the supply chain about their experiences.
The OIM particularly wants views on how businesses have responded to the changes and the extent to which differences in the timing or substance of regulations have impacted policymaking and innovation across the UK.
Spokesman Murdoch MacLennan, said, “We know that reducing our consumption of single-use plastics – from carrier bags used for the weekly shop to straws in our drinks – is important for the environment.
“We also know that the UK internal market for goods and services is worth £190 billion a year and green issues are a top priority for consumers, so it’s in everyone’s interest to get the full picture on how national restrictions on single-use plastics are working.
“To help us build that picture, we’re inviting feedback from interested stakeholders, including businesses that have experience of regulatory changes related to single-use plastics. This will help us understand how effectively companies of all sizes are able to sell their products and services across the 4 nations of the UK.”
The short short online survey can be found on the single-use plastics project page, and runs until 16 September 2024, although earlier responses are encouraged to help the review get underway. Businesses and other interested stakeholders can also share their views by emailing OIM-SUP@cma.gov.uk.
For more information, visit the OIM homepage.
