One of the laws provides for the prohibition of distribution and the obligation to make alternatives to ultra light plastic bags and plastic packaging available to consumers at points of sale of bread, fruits and vegetables.

This law published applies to all shops selling bread, fruits and vegetables, which are prevented from selling ultra light plastic bags for primary packaging from June 1, 2023.

It is also prohibited to sell vegetables and fruits packed in disposable plastic vials containing expanded plastic or polystyrene from 1 June 2023.

Under the new law, merchants are required to provide consumers with alternatives to ultra-lightweight plastic bags and plastic cuvettes for the primary packaging of bread, fruit and vegetables sold.

“Failure to comply with the provisions of this law constitutes a breach”, which will be defined by the Government through specific regulation.

The Government will regulate the law within 90 days of its entry into force. The law takes effect 120 days after its publication.

A law was also published that rules on the non-use and non-availability of single-use plastic tableware in the catering and / or beverage sector activities and in retail trade.

Under the new law, all non-sedentary establishments, other places and activities in the catering and / or beverage sector must use reusable tableware or, alternatively, tableware made of biodegradable material.

The only exceptions are when consumption occurs in a clinical / hospital setting with special clinical and social and / or humanitarian emergency indications.

The law also states that the Government, in cooperation with economic operators and academia, should promote research and studies leading to the creation of alternative solutions for placing disposable meal utensils made from biodegradable materials on the market.

However, catering and / or beverage service providers have a period of one year to adapt to the provisions of the law.

Non-sedentary catering and / or beverage service providers, and service providers taking place on public transport such as air, rail, sea and long-haul, have a two-year period to adapt .

Retail trade has a period of three years to adapt to the provisions of the law.

At the end of each transitional period, the Government shall draw up a report assessing the environmental and economic impacts resulting from the application of this law, which shall be submitted to the Assembly of the Republic within one year.

On July 19, Parliament unanimously approved the end of the distribution of plastic bags and cuvettes for bread, fruits and vegetables in trade and the sale of disposable plastic tableware.

The goal is that by 2020 it will be banned to make clear plastic bags common in fruit and vegetable sections, as well as disposable cuvettes "usually wrapped in expanded plastic or polystyrene" for those products.