On 27 October 2023, Hong Kong published the Product Eco-responsibility (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 (Ord. No. 27 of 2023), amending the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance, to prohibit oxo-degradable plastic products and certain disposable plastic products.

The restriction on products except disposable plastic tablecloth, multipack rings, plastic stemmed dental floss and ear-plug will be implemented on 22 April 2024, according to the Product Eco-Responsibility (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 (Commencement) Notice 2024.

The following are highlights of the regulations:

1. Products made of oxo-degradable plastic shall not be manufactured, supplied, or displayed.
2. The following disposable tableware shall not be supplied, displayed, or supplied at the time of providing dine-in, catering, or takeaway services:
   (1) Tableware made of EPS (expanded polystyrene), and
   (2) Following non-EPS plastic tableware:
     a. Straw,
     b.Stirrer,
     c.Cutlery,
     d. Plate,
     e. Cup,
     f. Cup lid,
     g. Food container,
     h. Food container cover.
   Note: The prohibition does not apply to a disposable straw made of non-EPS plastic supplied for medical reason etc.
3. The following disposable plastic products shall not be supplied or displayed:
   (1) Food stick,
   (2) Plastic stemmed cotton bud,
   (3) Balloon stick,
   (4) Inflatable cheer stick,
   (5) Glow stick,
   (6) Party hat,
   (7) Umbrella bag,
   (8) Toothpick,
   (9) Tablecloth,
   (10) Multipack rings,
   (11) Plastic stemmed dental floss.
4. The following disposable plastic products shall not be supplied without charge:
   (1) Gloves wholly or partly made of polyethylene (PE),
   (2) Ear-plug.
5. A tissue paper pack the packaging of which is made of plastic shall not be supplied without charge for promotion purposes.
6. The following plastic products may be supplied with charge at licensed hotels or licensed guesthouses:
   (1) Tooth brush with a handle made of plastic,
   (2) A thing intended to be used as toothpaste contained in a container made of plastic,
   (3) Shower cap,
   (4) Razor,
   (5) Nail file,
   (6) Comb,
   (7) Water contained in a disposable container made of plastic, and
   (8) Things in liquid or cream form contained in a container made of plastic:
     a. intended to be used for cleaning a person’s hair (such as a shampoo),
     b. intended to be used as a hair conditioner,
     c. intended to be used for cleaning a person’s body (such as a bath gel or shower gel),
     d. intended to be used for moisturizing a person’s skin,
     e. intended to be used for cleaning a person’s hands while washing the hands.

About Intertek

Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide. Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers’ operations and supply chains. Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently with precision, pace and passion, enabling our customers to power ahead safely.

www.intertek.com.cn