INF/TE/IDP/RD/87* 
5 December 2022  
(22-9018) Page: 1/3 
 Original:  English/anglais/inglés  
 
  
UNOFFICIAL ROOM DOCUMENT1 
 
DIALOGUE ON PLASTICS POLLUTION  
AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS TRADE  
AGENDA WORKSHOP 6 DECEMBER 2022  
 
 
DOCUMENT DE S ÉANCE NON OFFICIEL1 
 
DIALOGUE ON PLASTICS POLLUTION  
AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS TRADE  
AGENDA WORKSHOP 6 DECEMBER 2022  
 
 
DOCUMENTO DE SALA NO OF ICIAL1 
 
DIALOGUE ON PLASTICS POLLUTION  
AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS TRADE  
AGENDA WORKSHOP 6 DECEMBER 2022  
 
_______________  
  
 
* In Original language only/En langue originale seulement/En el idioma original solamente.  
1 Documents issued in the RD series are not official WTO documents. They usually appear in their 
language of submission and will not be translated systematically into the working languages of the WTO. They 
are intended for use in WTO meeting rooms and are a ttributed an unofficial symbol for archiving purposes only.  
Les documents de la série RD ne sont pas des documents officiels de l 'OMC. Ils ne paraissent 
généralement que dans la langue dans laquelle ils ont été communiqués et ne seront pas systématiquement 
traduits dans les langues de travail de l'OMC. Ils sont destinés aux salles de réunion de l'OMC et une cote non 
officielle leur est attribuée à des fins d'archivage.  
Los documentos de la serie RD no son documentos oficiales de la OMC. Por lo general se distribuyen en 
el idioma en que han sido presentados y no se traduce n sistemáticamente a los idiomas de trabajo de la 
Organización. Se distribuyen para su uso en las salas de reunión de la OMC y se les asigna una signatura no 
oficial a efecto s de archivo únicamente.  INF/TE/IDP/RD/8 7 
 
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  WORKSHOP ON SUSTAINABLE AND EFFECTIVE SUBSTITUTES AND ALTERNATIVES FOR 
PLASTICS  
AGENDA  
 
Workshop on sustainable and effective substitutes and alternatives for plastics  
WTO in collaboration with UNCTAD  
6 December 2022  
Hybrid event – WTO room (Room S1, S3) and online (zoom)  
10:00 am – 1:00 pm  
 
The workshop will be structured in three parts: i) opening segment; ii) two work -focused break -
out sessions (1h45min divided into two parts each) covering specific topics; and iii) closing plenary 
where delegations and stakeholders will reconvene. Discussions in the break -out sessions will be 
facilitated and focus on the guiding questions to each topic (see annex). Delegations and invited 
stakeholders can choose their preferred break -out session and a re asked to participate actively. 
They are also invited to send written submissions prior to the event to idp@wto.org .  
 
Delegations and invited stakeholders planning to attend the workshop virtually must register via 
Zoom by clicking here. 
 
10:00 am  Plenary (Room S1 and Zoom):  
 
Welcome remarks  
 
Factual summary of discussions held at the Dialogue covering the Workshop topics, WTO  
 
Presentation “Plastic pollution: the pressing case of natural and environmentally friendly 
substitutes to Plastics”, UNCTAD  
 
10:30 am – 12:45 pm - Break-out sessions  
 
Session 1  (Room S3 and Zoom)  
 
10:35  
a. Working definitions for terms relevant to 
trade in substitutes and alternatives2   
 
 
11:35  
b. HS code identification exercise, and trade -
related measures enabling substitution of 
single -use plastic products (SUPP) and 
other “problematic” goods by sustainable 
materials  
 Session 2  (Room S1 and Zoom)  
 
10:35  
a. Illustrative and extended list of material 
substitutes and material identification 
exercise  
 
11:35  
b. Minimum criteria for life cycle analysis, 
including other considerations such as 
tradability, non -toxicity, affordability, 
accessibi lity, and availability.  
 
 
12:45 pm 1:00 pm Plenary (Room S1 and Zoom):  
 
Reports of facilitators, round of short reactions by the plenary and conclusion  
 
 
 
ANNEX – Questions for written submissions by delegations and stakeholders  
 
2 Tentative definitions for terms such as:  plastic; microplastic; plastic substitutes; plastic alternatives; 
environmentally sustainable; effective (including cost and functionally effective); single -use; reusable; 
biodegradable; erodible; recyclable; recyclable content; compostable; plastic -related emissions; waste 
management technologies.  INF/TE/IDP/RD/87  
 
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Break -out sessions will focus on the guiding questions below. Delegations and invited stakeholders 
are kindly invited to send written answers to these questions prior to the event to idp@wto.org . 
 
1) Working definitions  
 
Q. What are the concepts for which a "working definition" could help the identification of 
"environmentally sustainable and effective substitutes and alternatives"  (please select all that 
apply). For each, what are the key elements that should be included in a working definition?  
 
 concept  Key elements   Potential source  
☐ plastic    
☐ microplastics    
☐ plastics substitutes    
☐ plastic alternatives    
☐ environmentally 
sustainable    
☐ effective (including cost 
and functionally effective)    
☐ single use    
☐ re-usable    
☐ biodegradable    
☐ erodible    
☐ recyclable    
☐ recycled content    
☐ compostable    
☐ plastic -related emissions    
☐ waste management 
technologies    
☐ Other    
 
2) HS code identification exercise, and trade -related measures enabling substitution of 
single -use plastic products (SUPP) and other “problematic” goods by sustainable 
materials.  
 
Q. Please indicate what " environmentally sustainable and effective substitutes and alternatives" are 
already being traded – even if not perfect/ideal solutions – and their identification codes under the 
Harmonized Commodity Descript ion and Coding System (HS) – even if those codes currently cover 
other products.  
 
 
3) Illustrative and extended list of material substitutes and material identification 
exercise  
 
Q. Please indicate the key criteria to be considered when identifying environ mentally sustainable 
and effective substitute materials. Please provide examples of such materials as well as relevant HS 
codes if available.  
 
 
4) Minimum criteria for life cycle analysis, including other considerations such as 
tradability, non -toxicity, a ffordability, accessibility, and availability.  
 
Q. What are the key criteria that should be included in the life cycle analysis (and other 
considerations such as tradability, non -toxicity, affordability, accessibility, and availability)  of 
plastics, their alternatives, and substitutes.  
 
 
__________