Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission

To promote compliance and to ensure harmonised implementation of the Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Directive[1], as required by Article 12 of the directive, the Commission is finalising Guidelines on the single-use plastic products covered by the directive. The Guidelines will provide clarification of the definitions of the directive, and a detailed description of the product categories covered. They will support a correct transposition, interpretation and application of the directive, which is consistent with its objectives and wording.

In addition, the Commission is preparing a number of Implementing Acts that build on the aforementioned Guidelines and should ensure a harmonised implementation of the directive. The Commission will also verify the completeness and correctness of the national transposition measures after the transposition deadline passes in July 2021.

As regards the scope of the ban on certain single-use plastic products, the directive calls on the Commission to undertake an evaluation of the directive by 3 July 2027 (Article 15). This shall incorporate an assessment of the need to review the list of single use plastic products covered by the directive, including those covered by the ban in Article 5 (Part B of the annex).

Finally, in the context of the review of Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive[2] currently underway, the issue of prevention of excessive packaging, and packaging waste reduction more generally is being addressed. The Commission is currently undertaking an Impact Assessment to support the future revision.

• [1] Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, OJ L 155, 12.6.2019, p. 1‐19.
• [2] Directive (EU) 2018/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 141‐154.