The Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission recently jointly issued the "Administrative Measures for the Use and Reporting of Disposable Plastic Products by Business Operators in the Commercial Sector"(referred to as the "Administrative Measures"), which clarified that five categories of operators, including commodity retail, e-commerce, catering, accommodation, and exhibitions, are prohibited and restricted. The "Administrative Measures" will be implemented from June 20.

The "Administrative Measures" propose that the state encourages the reduction of the use of disposable plastic products, scientifically and steadily promotes the application of alternative products, and guides the public to actively participate in plastic pollution control. Operators in commercial fields such as commodity retail, e-commerce, catering, accommodation, and exhibitions shall abide by national regulations prohibiting and restricting the use of disposable plastic products such as non-degradable plastic bags.

The "Administrative Measures" clarify that commercial retail establishments, e-commerce platform (including take-out platforms) enterprises and take-out enterprises should follow the principles of authenticity and integrity and regularly report the use and recycling of disposable plastic products. At the same time, all reporting entities are encouraged to proactively report the use and recycling of alternative products.

The "Administrative Measures" require relevant departments to supervise and manage the implementation of national regulations prohibiting and restricting the use of disposable plastic products such as non-degradable plastic bags and reporting activities of disposable plastic products by business operators within their administrative regions.

The person in charge of the Circulation Industry Development Department of the Ministry of Commerce said that the business sector is in an important position as a connecting link in the entire chain of plastic pollution control. It can not only influence the product design concepts of upstream manufacturers through feedback on consumer market demand, but also actually assume the responsibility of regulating the use of some plastic products. Social responsibility for reporting behavior. In recent years, the Ministry of Commerce has conscientiously implemented the requirements of the Solid Waste Law and related policy documents, and established a reporting system for disposable plastic products. The "Management Measures" issued by the Ministry of Commerce jointly with the Development and Reform Commission is an important measure to promote the formation of green and low-carbon production methods and lifestyles. It is a concrete action to reduce the use of traditional plastics and coordinate the promotion of carbon reduction, pollution reduction, and green expansion. It is of great significance to enhance the green alternative supply of plastic products and cultivate the concept of green consumption.

At present, many places in China have introduced or plan to introduce local regulations to promote the ban and restriction of disposable plastic products. The relevant person in charge of the Luoyang City Bureau of Commerce said that three types of entities, including commercial retail establishments, e-commerce platform companies and take-out companies within the jurisdiction, must report the use and recycling of disposable plastic products to the competent commercial authorities under their jurisdiction every six months. Jia Xiaoping, chairman of Henan Jinniu New Materials Co., Ltd., believes that while enacting legislation to ban the use of disposable non-degradable plastic products as soon as possible, it is also necessary to increase support for the degradable plastic industry, improve the upstream and downstream industrial chains, and increase integrated development.