The Ministry of Commerce (the "MOFCOM") has recently formulated and issued the Measures for the Reporting of the Use and Recycling of Disposable Plastic Products in the Commercial Field (for Trial Implementation) (Draft for Comment) (the "Draft for Comment") for public comments by October 11, 2020.
According to the Draft for Comment, operators of commodity retail premises, enterprises on e-commerce platforms and take-out enterprises using plastic bags and other disposable plastic products shall report to competent departments of commerce the use and recycling of such products. Meanwhile, the Draft for Comment stipulates that operators of commodity retail premises shall report the use and recycling of non-degradable plastic shopping bags and roll bags; enterprises on e-commerce platforms shall report the use and recycling of non-degradable plastic packaging bags (including woven bags) produced by their own business; take-out enterprises shall report the use and recycling of non-degradable plastic shopping bags, plastic meal boxes, plastic tableware (knives, forks and spoons) and plastic straws. The Draft for Comment also makes it clear that the reporting period is six months. The initial reporting period is from July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, and the reports shall be submitted within 30 days after the end of the reporting period.