INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
4 October  2023 
(23-6668) Page: 1/21 
  Original: English  
 
DIALOGUE ON PLASTICS POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTALLY  
SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS TRADE  
FACTUAL REPORT OF THE TRADE -RELATED PLASTICS MEASURES (TRPMS) SURVEY   
 
_______________  
 
 
1. In furthering the objectives of the ir 2021 Ministerial Statement1, the Dialogue on Plastics 
Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (Dialogue)  launched a survey on 
Trade -related Plastic Measures (TrPMs) in June 2022.2 The voluntary survey was intended to 
complement data already available on the topic in the WTO Environmental Database ( EDB), 
improve the collective knowledge  on the subject , map existin g and upcoming policies, and 
identify gaps and potential opportunities  for enhanced collaboration .3  
2. It outlined nine questions  (providing some guiding options) , regarding: (i) title and description 
of the policy or measure; (ii) the type of measures cove red; (iii) the main objective of the 
policy; (iv) stage of the life cycle or value chain that the policy was intended for; (v) products 
and services covered; (vi) relevant HS/ICS codes; (vii) date of entry into force; (viii) challenges 
identified in the im plementation phase ; (ix) mechanisms to assess the measure's efficacy 
and/or efficiency . The survey was subsequently made available in an online format and all 
Members were invited to actively participate and share their insights.  
3. Preliminary results and i nsights were presented and discussed at several meetings of the 
Dialogue since its launch.  This report provides a factual overview  of the responses and insights 
gained from the TrPMs survey  exercise . It focuses on the harmonized categories contained in 
the survey , as well as further information that could be extracted  from the data. 
 
_______________  
 
 
  
 
1 See Ministerial Statement on Plastic Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trad e 
(WT/MIN(21)/8/Rev.2 ), 10 December  2021. Current co -sponsors are : Albania; Angola; Australia; Austria; 
Barbados; Belgium; Bolivia, Plurinational  State of; Bulgaria; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Canada; 
Central African Republic; Chad; Chile; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; 
Ecuador; Estonia; European Union; Fiji; Finland; France; Gambia; Germany; Greece; Hon duras; Hong Kong, 
China; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Jamaica; Japan; Kazakhstan; Korea, Republic of; Latvia; Lithuania; 
Luxembourg; Macao, China; Maldives; Malta; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; 
Panama; Paraguay; Peru; P hilippines; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russian Federation; Samoa; Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of; Singapore; Slovak Republic; Slovenia; Spain; Suriname; Sweden; Switzerland; Thailand; Tonga; 
United Kingdom; United States; Uruguay; and Vanuatu . 
2 INF/TE/IDP/W/7/Rev.1 , "Questions for a Proposed Survey on Trade -related Measures on Plastics 
Pollution ". 
3 See Info rmal Summary by the Coordinators on the Plenary Meeting held on 24  May 2022 
(INF/TE/IDP/R/6 ). INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 2 - 
 
  TABLE OF CONTENTS  
 
Contents  
1. METHODOLOGY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 3 
2. OVERVIEW OF MAIN RESULTS  ................................ ................................ ...............  3 
2.1   General information  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 3 
2.2   Types of objectives  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 5 
2.3   Types of TrPMs  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  6 
2.3.1    Harmonized types of measures  ................................ ................................ .................  6 
2.3.2    Types of measures used for 'promotion'  ................................ ................................ ..... 9 
2.4   Stage in life cycle and value chain  ................................ ................................ ..............  10 
2.4.1    TrPMs targeting "upstream" stages  ................................ ................................ ..........  11 
2.4.2    Type of activities targeted  ................................ ................................ .......................  11 
2.5   Products, Harmonized System (HS) and International Classification for Standards (ICS) 
codes covered by survey TrPMs  ................................ ................................ .........................  12 
2.5.1    Type of products targeted by survey TrPMs  ................................ ...............................  12 
2.5.2    Single -use plastic products  ................................ ................................ .....................  13 
2.5.3    Recycled plastics  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 16 
2.5.4    Specific polymers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 16 
2.5.5    Care products, microplastics and exempted medical products  ................................ ...... 16 
2.5.6    Type of criteria used to identify products targeted by TrPMs  ................................ ........  16 
2.5.7    Products "promoted"  ................................ ................................ ..............................  17 
2.6   Challenges and needs in the implementation of TrPMs  ................................ ...................  18 
2.7   Mechanisms to assess efficacy and efficiency of TrPMs  ................................ ..................  20 
 
  INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 3 - 
 
  1. METHODOLOGY  
4. The survey began collecting responses in July 2022 and continued until August  31, 2023. 
The voluntary  survey was open to all Members , available also in  digital format and  in the three 
official languages of the WTO (English, French  and Spanish) . Before the launch of the survey, 
discussions at Dialogue meetings on Trade -related Plastic Measures (TrPMs)  had already started to 
take place4 based on the data available in the WTO's Environmental Database ( EDB).5 Data on 
individual TrPMs notified by Members  were thus also collected from the EDB  and inputted into the 
survey  format whenever sufficient information was available .6 Whenever possible, duplicates of the 
same measure notified more than once ( e.g. because included in notifications done in subsequent 
years)  were excluded, capturing infor mation from the most recent notification available. TrPMs 
captured from the EDB were also streamlined and/or deleted when contrasted to direct responses 
to the survey provided by Members.  The full s urvey dataset  now contains detailed information 
on 223 TrP Ms. 
2. OVERVIEW OF MAIN RESULTS  
2.1  General information  
5. Graph  1 depicts the total number of TrPMs  for each year from 1993 to 2025.7 As can be seen, 
there has been a steady and important increase in TrPMs from 2016 onwards, with 75% of all 
TrPMs in the dataset concentrated between 2016 -2021, and more than half represented in the 
three years between 2019 and 2021.  It is important to recall that EDB data is only currently 
available for notifications made to the WTO between 2009 and 2021, which largely expl ains the 
drop in total number of TrPMs captured in the dataset after that period.  The exponential growth in 
TrPMs in recent years (much greater than the growth trend for all environmental objectives 
combined captured by WTO data ) clearly mirrors the increa se in interest and concerns related to 
plastic pollution.  
 
4 See, inter alia , the following Dialogue documents: Factual Report (2021) ( INF/TE/IDP/W/3 ); Factual 
Summary of Discussions on Sustainabl e and Effective Alternatives and Substitutes  
(INF/TE/IDP/RD/88/Rev.1 ); and Factual Summary of Discussions on Reduction and Circularity to Tackle 
Plastic Pollution  (INF/TE/IDP/RD/125 ). 
5 The EDB contains all  environment -related notifications submitted by all WTO Members  in a given 
year as well as environmental measures and policies mentioned in the Trade Policy Reviews of WTO Members.  
Data in the EDB is available for notifications made between 2009 -2021. At the time this analysis was 
finalized, the WTO Secretariat was working on publishing the annual data for 2022.  
6 For instance, due to the nature of WTO transparency obligations, very few notifications contained 
information relevant to questions in the survey  focused on challenges in implementation or mechanisms to 
assess the measure's efficacy and/or efficiency . In that sense, information described in this Report related to 
those topics were almost exclusively extracted from survey replies.  
7 The EDB captures  information from notifications made by WTO Members in a given year. Not all 
notifications indicate the date of entry into force of the policy, or they might refer to policies already in force 
or that were in force for the period in the past the notificati on refers to. In that sense, for the TrPMs extracted 
from the EDB , the year the notification was made to the WTO was considered for this analysis. Conversely, 
for the TrPMs collected from the  survey, the year refers to the year  of policy implementation  indicated by the 
replying delegation.   INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 4 - 
 
  Graph  1. Number of TrPMs per Year 
 
 
 
6. The 223 TrPMs in the dataset come  from 85 different WTO  Members .8  These measures come 
from all regional groupings, with a significant concentration of  TrPMs in Asia  (72), followed by 
Europe (45), Africa (32), and South and Central America and the Caribbean (31) (see graph  2 
below).  In terms of Members with at least one TrPM, the dataset shows that 34 are from Europe, 
followed by Asia ( 15 Members ), Africa (12) and South and Central America and the Caribbean (12). 
Graph  2. TrPMs  by Region  
 
 
7. The majority of the TrPMs,  71%, come from developing  Members  (67%) and least  developed 
countries  (LDCs)  Members (4%) , whereas 29% come from develope d Members  (see graph 3) . This 
reflects the particular importance that developing and LDC Members accord to using trade -related 
measures to address this specific environment -related challenge. For comparison, general EDB data 
shows that for all environment -related objectives combined (almost 17 ,000 measures), about 50% 
are measures notified by developing and LDC Members.9 
 
8 Considering t he European Union (EU) as 27 Members . 
9 It is worth noting that this assessment holds true even when comparing only the TrPMs extracted 
from the EDB data, for which 74% of the measures come from developing and LDC Members .  
INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 5 - 
 
  Graph  3. Development status by number of TrPMs  (Percentage)   
 
 
2.2  Types of objectives  
8. The most common objective pursued by TrPMs , 'waste management and leakage avoidance ', 
with 101 entries, followed by single -use plastic (96), recycling (90), eco-designing (82) , promotion 
of alternatives and substitutes ( 76) and chemical, toxic and hazardous substances management 
(50) (see graph 4) .10  
9. These objectives indicate a comprehensive approach to plastic pollution through trade -
related policies , encompassing sustainable production, chemicals, toxic and hazard management , 
recycling, waste management, among others . In effect, over 72% of TrPMs included more than 
one objective, with only 61 indicating a single harmonized objective, mostly targeting single -use 
plastics (22) and waste management (18).   
Graph 4.  Objective(s) pursued by  TrPM s 
 
 
10. Food safety  had not been included among the initial set of harmonized objectives . However, 
due to its relative prevalence among 'other ' types of objectives mentioned in the dataset, a specific 
category and analysis was able to be produced.  Twenty TrPMs indicate such objective, almost all 
(19) proposing draft rules or final minimum requirements for recycled synthetic resins (mostly 
plastics) when intended for use in contact with food , including when obtained through chemical 
recycling (in at least two TrPMs).  Most measures were not ified or adopted in 2016  (12), with a few 
more concentrated in 2021 (4). Such TrPMs came from 38 WTO Members.11 
 
10 The harmonized types of objectives were: (i) recycling; (ii) reuse an d remanufacturing; (iii) eco -
designing; (iv) single -use plastic; (v) waste management (including its trans -boundary movement) and leakage 
avoidance; (vi) promotion of alternatives and substitutes; (vii) chemical, toxic, and hazardous substances 
management;  (viii) promotion of waste management and other technologies (ix) Other . Each measure could 
pursue more than one of the set objectives at the same time and delegations could also indicate other types of 
objectives not covered by the original harmonized cat egories.  
11 The EU counting as 27 Members.  
INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 6 - 
 
  2.3  Types of TrPMs   
11. The survey captured information on three broad categories of TrPMs: sustainability 
requiremen ts; pricing and market mechanisms ; and support and financial programmes. These 
broadly capture the main types of trade -related policies adopted for environmental p urposes and 
notified or discussed at the WTO. Graph 5  shows the distribution of TrPMs  based on these  
categor ies. 
Graph  5. Broad categories  of measures contained in the policies in the dataset12 
 
 
12. The survey data shows that most policies include  'sustainab ility requirements ', with 200 
entries representing 8 3% of the dataset , followed by 'support and financial programs ' with 21 
entries (9%) 'pricing and market -based mechanisms ' with 19 entries  (8%).  
13. This could be at least partially explained by the  relative  reliance of the dataset on formal 
WTO notifications contained in the EDB. WTO agreements contain varied transparency obligations 
which require WTO Members to notify their trade -related measures following different requirements 
and periodicities. Certain types of measures, of which many 'pricing and market mechanisms', do 
not necessarily need to be notified in the same manner as others, such as regulations. Indeed, out 
of the 19 'pricing and market mechanisms' contained in the survey dataset, 16 ca me from direct 
replies to the survey by delegations. This reinforces the value of the survey exercise, not least  to 
shed light and offer opportunities for cooperation on trade -related measures for which traditional 
WTO data is scarcer.  
14. On the other hand, the smaller number of 'support and financial programmes' applied to 
objectives related to addressing plastic pollution available in the dataset seems to contrast with 
the general prevalence of such category among the total number of trade -related measures 
adopted for all environmental objectives combined available in the WTO EDB. In the EDB, 
'sustainability requirements' represent 60% of the universe of measures in the dataset, while 
'support and financial programmes' represent roughly 38%; a four times gre ater relative 
importance  than for TrPMs . Said otherwise, for all environmental objectives, WTO Members seem 
to rely on 'support and financial programmes' (covered by WTO transparency obligations) more 
often than for addressing plastic pollution. While it i s difficult to properly determine why this seems 
to be the case (in particular given the relatively small data sample), it could be linked to the relative 
recency of plastic pollution as an objective targeted by trade -related measures.  
2.3.1   Harmonized types of measures  
15. The three broad categories can be sub -divided into more specific types of measures. To 
provide more granularity to the report, the TrPMs survey dataset was further categori zed based on 
the harmonized types  of measures long used for the EDB.13 To those, the specific type 'Extended 
 
12 Most of the time, all elements of a policy will fit into one single category. Whenever a policy had 
clearly distinct features, they were divided into different individual TrPMs in the dataset. However, some 
policies where difficult to subdivide and had features of more than one category. In such cases, more than 
one category was assigned and thus the total count of such categories is slightly larger than the total number 
of TrPMs.  
13 The harmonized categories are: Technical regulation or specifications; Conformity assessment 
procedures; Ban/Prohibition; Risk assessment; Quarantine requirements; Regulation affecting movement or 
transit; Import licences; Export licences; Intellectual property measures; Other environme ntal requirements; 
Countervailing measure / investigation; Anti -dumping measure / investigation; Safeguard measure / 
investigation; Import quotas; Export quotas; Import tariffs; Export tariffs; Internal taxes; Non -specified price 
and market -based measure; Other price and market -based measures; Grants and direct payments; Tax 
concessions; Loans and financing; Income or price support; Non -monetary support; Public procurement; 
Other support measures; Other measures.  
INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 7 - 
 
  Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme' was added given the relevance of the measure to the topic. 
Each TrPM can (and often does) include more than one element  fitting a harmonized type and thus 
the total count exceeds the total number of TrPMs.  Graph 6 provides the breakdown of TrPMs based 
on such categories . 
Graph 6. Harmonized type of measures (counts ) 
 
 
2.3.1.1   Technic al regulations or specifications and conformity assessment procedures  
16. As can be noted, a wide  variety of trade -related policies have been used to address plastic 
pollution, chief among them 'technical regulations or specifications', present in 5 8% of all TrPMs in 
the dataset. These usually take the form of technical requirements on plastic products to be put on 
the market , produced and/or exported  to minimize the risk of leakage and pollution, ensure quality 
and (food / health) safety, facilitate collection, recycling and re use or promote alternatives and 
substitutes.  It is the type of measure used for the wid est variety of plastic -related objective s, with 
at least 10 measures for each of the harmonized objectives captured by the survey. These 
measures also seem to be used more often for the objectives of eco -designing  (pursued by 60 
TrPMs with such tools or ab out 50% of the total)  and promotion of alternatives and substitutes (49, 
38%) , than the prevalence of such objectives in all types of measures combined (graph 4 above) . 
Additionally, all TrPMs addressing food safety include  technical regulations or specifi cations among 
their tools.  
17. Conformity assessment procedures (CAPs) are used to determine whether products fulfil the 
requirements established by relevant technical regulations or standards . They are the third type of 
measure most often identified in the da taset, present in 37 TrPMs.  Not surprisingly they are most 
often found in TrPMs also containing technical regulations or specifications and the breakdown of 
the objectives they pursue is also similar. However, the important difference between the total 
number of CAPs and technical specifications could give rise to questions about challenges on 
implementation or at least about access to information on certification procedures. While this does 
not seem to be an issue restricted to measures addressing plastics  (for all objectives combined in 
the EDB, there are 2.9 times more technical specifications than CAPs), the discrepancy seems to 
be relatively more prevalent for TrPMs (3.5 times more specifications than CAPs).  
2.3.1.2   Bans  or prohibitions  
18. Bans or prohibitions are the second most often used type of measures in the dataset, present 
in 37% of the  survey  TrPMs. The 83 bans/prohibitions  similarly seek a wide  variety of objectives 
but with a strong concentration on addressing single -use plastics (52 TrPM s, or 63% of bans). 
Indeed, as will be explored further below, bans on single -use plastics (often coupled with exceptions 
for certain medical goods or those certifiably degradable and/or compostable), seem to be a the 
main trade -related policy tool in the dataset used to address the issue of single -use plastics, 
followed by technical regulations or specifications (included in 49 TrPMs addressing single -use 
INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 8 - 
 
  plastics , often combined with a ban ), internal taxes and EPR schemes (13), import licences  (10), 
suppo rt measures (9) such as grants, tax concessions and government procurement.  
19. Other notable harmonized objectives pursued by the bans or prohibitions contained in the 
dataset are waste management (including its trans -boundary movement) and leakage avoidance  
(34 TrPMs) and chemical, toxic, and hazardous substances management  (24 TrPMs). For the latter, 
bans or prohibitions (often coupled with some exceptions) are also the tool most often found in 
TrPMs addressing the issue.  
2.3.1.3   Import  and export  licences  
20. Import licen ces are the fourth most often used type of measures in the dataset, present in 
roughly 1 5% of the survey TrPMs. The 34 import licen sing schemes are mostly applied for the 
objective of waste management (including its trans -boundary movement) and  leakage avoidance  
(24 TrPMs). Export licences are scarcer in the dataset, with only seven  explicit examples, often 
used in combination with import licences.14 Not surprisingly, many import and export licen sing 
schemes in the survey refer to the implementa tion of international obligations under the Basel, 
Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) conventions and other international instruments .  
21. Some import licences (13) are also introduced to help address single -use plastics, including 
to manage their end  of life and avoid their leakage. One such TrPMs submit s components of plastic 
bags to the import licensing system  to "better control the unlawful production of banned plastic 
bags and to ensure the traceability of components of plastic bags and avoid any risk of misus e". 
The components include : semi -finished goods (flattened sheaths of printed and unprinted film of 
polyethylene in rolls of a width not exceeding 300  cm); polyethylene (PE) waste; and other 
materials that may contain PE.  Some are also applied in conjuncti on with conditional bans, technical 
specifications or internal taxes and/or EPR schemes to facilitate their implementation.  
2.3.1.4   Internal taxes and EPR  schemes  
22. Internal taxes (present in 13 TrPMs) are most often found in the survey in TrPMs seeking to 
address single -use plastics (10) and/or fund and promote recycling (10), alternatives and 
substitutes (9), eco -designing (7) and re use (4), almost always combining at least three of these 
objectives through this single pricing mechanism.  Such internal taxes  apply to a wide range of 
plastic products, including packaging (7), waste (5), cups, bottles and bags (4 each) and tableware 
(3). Some include a specific obligation for supermarkets and other consumer -facing businesses to 
charge when providing single -use plastic goods (e.g. bags). Others refer to reimbursable deposit 
fees or credit systems  for plastic packaging and single -use plastic g oods (e.g. bottles).  Some 
condition the application of tax on the appropriate disposal of the good or on the use of a minimum 
% of recycled or secondary material content.   
23. EPR schemes is another type of measure in the database always associated with TrPMs 
seeking to realize multiple objective s at once  (at least three) . Not surprisingly, all 10 EPR schemes 
found in the survey include the objective of waste management and leakage avoidance. However, 
they also seek to promote recycling (9), re use (5) and eco -designing (5).  They apply to a similar 
range of goods than internal taxes and are often complex schemes, developed with and imposing 
obligations and specific targets on the domestic industry, retailers and importers, including on 
ecodesign  elements, recover y and recycling targets, and transitions to re use schemes. Some refer 
to the option of voluntary and/or industry -developed and product -specific schemes, establishing 
broad targets to be met. Some stress public participation as part of the development and 
implementation processes.  Most EPRs in the survey were slated to enter into force from 2021 
onwards, with the last implementation year of 2025.  
2.3.1.5   Support measures  
24. The final group of measures most often found in the survey are the following support 
measures: grants and direct payments (found in 10 TrPMs); preference in public procurement (5); 
tax concessions (4); non -monetary  (4) and other  support ( 3) measures , such as public advisory 
services  and research and development , governmental certification or recogni tion labels , education 
 
14 As will be explored below, many measures m ight be applicable also to imports and/or exports but 
the way they are drafted or notified do not explicitly indicate it.  INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 9 - 
 
  campaigns  and provision of collection and waste management infrastructure . Sometimes used in 
combination, these 21 individuals TrPMs  seek to achieve  all harmonized objectives covered by the 
survey, with a strong prevalence of support  measures seeking to promote downstream waste 
management, leakage avoidance and/or recycling (objectives reflected in 16 out of the 21 TrPMs). 
At the same time, these often -broad support programmes were also used to promote the 
development of new technolog ies (11 TrPMs) and alternatives and substitutes to plastics (11), 
often specifically targeting the single -use plastics issue (9) and/or promoting re use models (7).  
Indeed, considering the smaller incidence of these measures in the survey, they seem to be 
particularly associated with the objectives of promoting new technologies and alternatives or 
substitutes to plastics (see further below).  
25. Grants and direct payments are often included in TrPMs seeking to fund waste management 
projects such as waste -to-energy or waste -to-fuel facilities and other resource utilization schemes, 
or specific plastic goods recycling, such as packaging  and agricultural  films. Some explicitly mention 
the funding of research and development of  new sustainable technologies, alternati ves, and 
substitutes, including through innovation grants and competitions. Public procurement schemes 
include either mandatory or preferential requirements for sustainable alternatives and substitutes 
to certain plastic products (e.g. alumin ium bottles), reusable  packaging, or a minimum content of 
recycled plastics. Tax concessions in the survey are also used to provide preferential tax treatment 
to sustainable or "preferrable" goods, such as those produced with recycled plastic content, 
integrated resource utilization of plastic wastes or those necessary for recycling activities (e.g. 
acquisition of recycling machinery). A variety of internal taxes for rebate/exemption have been 
mentioned including: value -added tax; income tax; environmen tal taxes on specific products 
(packaging or waste fee /levies ); specific industry/sectoral contributions, including to EPR schemes.  
2.3.2   Types of measures used for 'promotion ' 
26. A key part of the Dialogue has focused on the issue of "promotion" .15 As seen above,  the 
survey also captures TrPMs adopted for the objectives of 'promotion of alternatives and substitutes' 
(76 TrPMs) and of 'waste management and other technologies' (28). As can be seen in graph 7 
below, wit h regards to promotion of alternatives and substi tutes, technical regulation or 
specifications are also the most often types of measures identified in the survey for this objective 
(49), followed by bans and prohibitions (23) and CAPs (14). While this breakdown reflects the same 
relative importance of th ese measures for all objectives, it is worth noticing that those 
adopting/notifying trade -restrictive measures seem to be well -aware of the need to develop 
alternative and/or substitute goods, services and (re use) business models to replace those being 
restricted when necessary.  
Graph 7. Types of measures in TrPMs seeking promotion of alternatives and substitutes  
 
 
27. As already mentioned, the group of 'support measures' (grants, public procurement, tax 
concessions etc .) has a particularly high relative incid ence for this objective, indicating the relative 
 
15 See Dialogue 2022 Plan ( INF/TE/IDP/W/5 ) and the Factual Summary of Discussions on Promotion 
(INF/TE/IDP/RD/88/Rev.1 ). 
INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 10 - 
 
  importance of these types of measures for promoting substitutes and alternatives. Also worthy of 
note, of the total 13 internal tax measures identified in the survey, nine include the promotion of 
substitute s and alternatives among their objectives, once again arguably indicating the reali zation 
by trade policy makers of the potential for this pricing tool to shift market preferences towards 
more sustainable goods.  
28. With regards to the 28 TrPMs which include t he objective of ' promotion of waste management 
and other technologies', the breakdown of types of measures follows a similar pattern (see graph 
8), with 12 containing technical requirements and specifications, followed by grants and direct 
payments (6), EP R schemes (5) and tax concessions (4). Not surprisingly, in this case, the relative 
prevalence of support measures is even more pronounced.  
Graph 8. Types of measures in TrPMs seeking promotion of waste management and 
other technologies  
 
 
2.4  Stage in life cycle  and value chain   
29. The survey captured information about the stage in the productive value chain and life cycle 
of plastic and other products targeted by the TrPMs.16 As can be seen in graph 9, most TrPMs in 
the survey target mid -stream stages, wi th 149 targeting finished goods and manufacturing, 
followed by packaging materials (94), plastic use (93), waste and scrap (68) and recycling (68).  
Graph 9 . Stage in value chain life -cycle  
 
 
30. While there is a clear concentration of measures in mid to downstream stages, the higher 
incidence mid -stream indicates  how the TrPMs in the survey seem to be acting mostly during the 
plastic production and consumption phases ( i.e. before it becomes waste or is collected  for 
recycling). A deeper analysis of the TrPMs targeting upstream stages offers some further insights.  
 
16 The stages were: plastic feedstock; primary plastics; plastic -based inputs and intermediate forms; 
finished goods and manufacturing; packaging materials; plastic use; waste and scrap (including its trans -
boundary movement); recycling.  
INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 11 - 
 
  2.4.1   TrPMs targeting "upstream" stages  
31. The 41 TrPMs targeting 'plastic -based inputs and intermediate forms' seem to follow one of 
five general approaches: i ) targeting components and inputs of plastic products for which 
production/consumption is also restricted to facilitate  compliance; ii) restricting the 
use/importation of microplastics and microbeads intentionally added to cosmetics  and other 
products; iii ) regulating plastic parts and intermediate products used in the construction, transport 
and other sectors (e.g. toys); iv) restricting certain plasticizers, chemicals and/or additives that 
are hazardous or that might negatively affect plastic degradabilit y, composability and/or 
recyclability ; or v) regulating secondary raw material / recycled inputs for use in new products, 
e.g. to prevent the use of discarded medical waste (see below for further information on TrPMs 
targeting microplastics, additives, sec ondary materials and other goods) . 
32. The 11 TrPMs targeting primary plastics  and the seven  targeting feedstocks  follow similar 
approaches, but target polymers and resins themselves, sometimes specifying which (e.g. 
polyketone synthetic resin , polyethylene , polyethylene terephthalate , polyolefins , polystyrene, 
'coloured primary plastics') , as well as feedstocks used (e.g. 'bio -sourced' or petroleum -based) . 
Other times, these measures only refer to the issue of primary plastics (or simply 'polymers [in 
primary form]') and pollution in general terms.  
2.4.2   Type of activities targeted  
33. The survey also allowed for the TrPMs to be categorized based on the specific activities to 
which the measure s apply. These activities include d imports, exports, production, consumption, 
sale/distribution, possession, and recovery.17 One TrPM  can be applicable to more than one activity 
and thus the total count of activities targeted is higher than the total number of TrPMs.  Graph  10 
shows the distribution of the activities  that the measures are applicable to.  
Graph 10 . Activities Targeted  
 
 
34. This categorization allows to explore situations in which there might be potential gaps (at 
least based on the measures descriptions captured by the survey) in the applicability of certain 
restrictions.  About 65% of all TrPMs (145) apply to sale/distributio n, consumption and/or 
possession. This means that the targeted plastic and other goods are either banned or restricted 
from being placed in the internal market. Seventy -two TrPMs apply to sale/distribution and/or 
consumption /possession  while simultaneously  applying at least to production and/or export  as well . 
In practice this means that the restricted goods cannot be put into the internal market  (without 
following the requirements)  nor exported from it.  
35. There are however 103 TrPMs  that apply only to imports, consumption  and/or sale and 
distribution, but not to export and/or production. This implies that while these goods or substances 
may be subject to restrictions within the domestic market, they could still be produced and export ed 
(sometimes referred to  as "export of domestically restricted/prohibited goods "). It is important to 
note that, due to their regulatory nature, technical regulations or specifications notified to the 
Committee  on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)  often d o not explicitly refer to production or exports 
(and would thus be classified as applying "only" to 'sale/distribution'  in the survey ) but might 
nonetheless be applicable to all production in a market. Still, o ut of these 103 TrPMs , only 56 have 
 
17 When differentiati ng between 'consumption ' and 'sale/distribution ', the term 'consumption ' is used 
only when explicitly mentioned in the measures, while "sale/distribution" is used in all other cases  in which 
the TrPM's description indicates it applies to products meant to be introduced in the market . This is the case, 
for instance, of many technical regulations or specifications and bans/prohibitions.  
INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 12 - 
 
  been notif ied to the  TBT Committee . The remaining TrPMs have thus a higher chance of not being 
applied to exports .  
36. Additionally, 67 TrPMs explicitly apply only to sale/distribution and/or consumption as well 
as production, but not export. In theory these measures c ould allow for the re -export of the 
restricted goods from the market ( e.g. through "free ports" or s pecial economic zone s). It is unclear 
from the survey data whether this would be the case in any of these TrPMs, but the low number of 
TrPMs explicitly indicating they apply to exports  (17) provides an opportunity for clarifications and 
closing potential gaps.  
37. There are 4 1 TrPMs  that apply solely to imports, but not to sale/distribution, production, 
and/or consumption. This implies  that while i mports of certain goods or substances may be 
restricted, they could still be produced and put on the market, or even exported. Similarly to 
measures notified to the TBT Committee, those notified pursuant to the Agreement on Import 
Licensing Procedures  (ILP) or to the Decision on notification procedures for quantitative restrictions 
(QR decision) could  be expected to only refer to imports in their application. Out of the 41 TrPMs, 
17 were notified pursuant to the ILP Agreement and 13 under the QR decision , while 1 1 are not 
related to either . Additionally, only six out of the 41 TrPMs come from small islands  developing 
states (SIDS) , with the remaining measures originat ing from 21 different Members. With regards 
to the  types of goods or substances targeted , 25 are applied to waste s, while the remaining 15 are 
not. The 15 measures not related to waste cover a diverse range of products.  
38. Thirty -nine TrPMs focus on recovery activities, mostly to impose obligations or promote 
recycling, avoid leakage or support clea n-up programmes. Finally, 5 TrPMs explicitly restrict or 
even prohibit the possession of certain plastic products. These are all focused on single -use plastic 
products, particularly bags.  
2.5  Products,  Harmonized System (HS) and International Classification fo r Standards 
(ICS) codes  covered by survey TrPMs   
39. The survey captured what products were targeted by each TrPM, as well as their Harmonized 
System ( HS) and/or International Classification for Standards (ICS)  codes when provided. While 
113 TrPMs indicated HS  codes covered (anywhere from 10 -digit to, more often, 2-digit levels) and 
53 indicated ICS codes, the lack of granularity in harmonized identification codes for plastic 
products as well as a broad variation in how such codes are communicated ma de a detailed analysis 
difficult.  
2.5.1   Type of products targeted by survey Tr PMs 
40. Nonetheless, based on the description of the products targeted by each TrPM, a general 
classification of those most often targeted was developed.18 Graph 11 below provides the 
breakdown of products targeted by the TrPMs in the survey, broadly covering six groups: specific 
polymers, chemicals and additives; goods from certain industries/sectors (e.g. textile , construction, 
fisheries); [single -use] food-related products; other [single -use] products specifically targeted; 
packaging; and plastics based on t heir life -cycle stage or form.  
 
18 The categories included: specific polymers recurrently mentioned (polystyrene, PVC); additives; 
chemicals; microplastics; industry/sectors (textiles, care products, medical, agricultural, electronics, 
construction, auto industry goods); tyres; fishing gear; toys; [single -use] food -related products  (food 
containers, tableware, cups, beverage containers, plastic straws, bottles , plastic lids); other [single -use] 
products (cotton buds, plastic ballot sticks, tobacco, bags, film, sachets); packaging; waste; virgin and 
recycled plastics.  INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Graph 11 . Harmonized types of products  most often targeted by TrPMs  
 
 
2.5.2   Single -use plastic products  
41. As can be noted, TrPMs in the survey target a range of products, most often of which are 
packaging (94), waste (68), and plastic bags (59) . Next a range of products from the food and 
food services industry are targeted, often specifying their single -use nature: tableware (33) , food 
containers (31) , plastic straws (26) and cups (25).  Given the prevalence of the objective of 
addres sing single -use plastic and other single -use goods in the TrPMs found in the survey  (97 
TrPMs) , the table 1 below was compiled with all such products  and their incidence in the survey . 
Table 1. Single -use products most often targeted  (number of TrPMs)  
Bag 59 
Tableware  33 
Food containers  31 
Plastic straws  26 
Cups  25 
Bottle  20 
Film  14 
Cotton buds  13 
Beverage stirrers  11 
Plastic lids  11 
Sachets  7 
Plastic balloon sticks  4 
Tobacco  2 
 
0102030405060708090100
(expanded) polystyrene
PVC
additive
chemical
textiles
care product
medical product
agriculture
electronics
construction
auto industry
tyres
fishing gear
toys
food containers
tableware
cups
beverage stirrers
plastic straws
bottle
plastic lids
cotton buds
plastic balloon sticks
tobacco
packaging
bag
film
sachets
waste
recycled
microplastic
virginINF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 14 - 
 
  2.5.2.1   Identification of Single -Use Plastic  Bags  
42. As can be gleaned from table 1, plastic bags are the single -use products most often targeted 
by TrPMs in the survey. These 59 TrPMs come from 64 Members and are almost entirely composed 
of bans, import licen sing schemes and technical regulations or specifi cations coupled with certain 
exceptions for bio-sourced / recyclable / compostable / degradable materials, medical/health 
reasons  (see further information below) or due to economic, social and/or cultural justifications 
(e.g. because there are  no [affordab le] available substitutes in the market , or for those needed to 
avoid food waste or ensure food safety of raw products ). 
43. Based on the data available in the survey for these measures, it was also possible to analyse 
how these TrPMs were identifying the [single -use] [plastic] bags being targeted.19 In total, 30 
TrPMs offered enough information for the analysis (either in the data directly available or through 
the link to additional legal texts/information provided). These measures indicate  a wide variation 
in definitions, specifications and requirements used, following broadly four criteria to identify the 
targeted bag: i) the thickness of the material  (e.g. < 50 microns) ; ii) to the usage of the bag  (e.g. 
purpose or capacity) ; iii) the pol ymer input used (bio or polymer -based) ; and iv) end-of-life 
properties of the bag  (e.g. degradability) . 
44. All 30 TrPMs used at least of one these criteria, while 16 used two or more . None used all 
four. As can be seen in graph 12, most TrPMs (16) include ref erences to "usage" when defining the 
targeted bag. Fourteen refer to the thickness of the material, while the same number of TrPMs rely 
on the type of polymer used (either as the sole criteria or with other). Finally, 6 TrPMs make 
reference to the end -of-life properties of the product to restrict/regulate the bag ( e.g. its 
biodegradability, recyclability or compostability).  
Graph 12. Criteria used to identify single -use plastic bags in TrPMs  
 
 
45. While this indicates an important variability in the general criteria used to identify the 
targeted bags, the survey also indicated significant differences even when TrPMs used the same 
criteria. For instance, when targeting bags based on the thickness of the material used, TrPMs used 
a variety of classifications (e.g. light [weight] , [very] [ ultra-]light, thin, ultra -thin) based on 
thickness rates ranging from 15 to 100 microns.  Table 2 below provides the incidence of thickness 
rates mentioned.  
Table 2. Th ickness referred to in TrPMs  
thickness (in microns, smaller than)  15 25 30 35 50 70 100 
# of TrPMs  2 2 1 2 6 3 1 
 
46. With respect to "usage", three  general approaches were identified . First, some TrPMs will 
clarify they apply to certain bags when sold/delivered and "designed to carry " specific goods 
 
19 It should be noted that not all TrPMs expressly indicate that the bags targeted are "single -use" 
and/or only those made of "plastics". However, the specific definitions and criteria used by these 30 TrPMs 
clearly indicate the focus on disposable plastic bags.  
INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 15 - 
 
  including: i)  those purchased goods from a business ; ii) specific goods, materials or products  (e.g. 
unwrapped fruits, food items, clothing ; or iii) products and goods that are delivered to a consumer  
(e.g. in food or other delivery services) . The implication is that bags sold/delivered/used for these 
purposes and goods are usually quickly discarded. Secondly, some TrPMs indicate the specific  
capacity, volume, or surface density of the targeted bag (e.g. those of  a capacity of less than 10 
kilograms ; less than 25 litters; of surface density equal to or greater than 60  g/m²; bags that must 
be able to carry goods for specified amount of times or  greater than  certain distances [e.g.  53 
meters ]). Finally , a third approach identified is to indicate whether the plastic bag is designed for 
single -use/short useful life or to be reusable a minimum number of times (e.g. more  than 100 
times ; multiple circ uits or rotations ).  
47. On "polymer input", three main variations were identified. First, a group of TrPMs (9) target 
specific polymers or define plastics as "polymer -based materials". In this case a variety of polymers 
have been mentioned as part of the iden tification of the bag, such as " polymers of ethylene ", or 
polymers of "one or more organic polymeric substances of large molecular weight ", or polymers 
that contain essential ingredients including a "high polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate, 
high de nsity polyethylene, Vinyl, low density polyethylene, ["non-woven" ] propylene , polystyrene, 
PVC and nylon ", inter alia . Secondly, some TrPMs (5) expressly refer to petroleum -based [derived 
from oil] material [or its derivatives]  in the definition of the plastic bag, implying that they focus 
on oil -based bags. Finally, some TrPMs (3) include a reference or definition for "bio -based" bags, 
either to exempt them from the restriction or to expressly confirm they are covered by the me asure.  
48. Concerning "end  of life", there were two main identifiable approaches. TrPMs targeting 
single -use bags may include references to whether the targeted goods are [bio]degradable and/or 
compostable, either to exempt from the restriction or to expressl y confirm they are covered by the 
measure. Another approach is to specifically target a not fully degradable plastic (in particular "oxo -
degradable"  material ) as part of the restriction. Table 3 below provides a summary and overview 
of the four criteria an d their internal variations.  
Table 3: Overview of criteria used by TrPMs to identify single -use plastic bags 
Thickness 
(ranges )  Usage (e.g: purpose or 
capacity) includes  Polymer references  End-of-life properties  
include  
< 15 microns   Designed to carry  
• purchased goods from a 
business  
• goods, materials or 
products  
• products and goods that are 
delivered to a consumer  Bio-Based  
• a blend of materials 
with plant derived 
products  Biodegradable or 
compostable  
• whose composition 
and/or characteristics 
do not allow or hinder 
its biodegradability  
< 25 microns   
< 30 microns   
< 35 microns   
< 50 microns   
< 70 microns   Capacity / volume / surface 
density of  
• less than 10 kilograms, > 53 
meters  
• less than 25 liters  
• equal to or greater than 
60 g/m² Polymers of  
• ethylene  
• one or more organic 
polymeric 
substances of large 
molecular weight  
• contains as an 
essential ingredient 
a high polymer such 
as polyethylene 
terephthalate, high 
density 
polyethylene, … Made of degradable 
plastic often included 
in the ban  
• incl. oxo -degradable, 
biodegradable  and 
compostable 
materials  
• consists of 
polyethylene and 
oxo-degradable 
impurities  
< 100 
microns   Designed for single -
use/short useful life or to 
be “reusable” or used > 
than:  
• 100 times  Oil-based  
• petroleum -based 
material or its 
derivatives   
 INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 16 - 
 
  2.5.3   Recycled plastics  
49. Apart from single -use items, the survey data also offers interesting insights on other 
categories of products often targeted by TrPMs . First, 30 TrPMs from 46 Members20 target recycled 
plastics either as secondary materials themselves or when meant to be used  as input for finished 
goods. A good number of these TrPMs (17) aim at ensuring food safety or protecting the health of 
consumers of recycled plastic -based products by adopting standards and/or imposing requirements 
on the secondary material itself when used for certain goods ( e.g. food packaging). One TrPM 
proscribes the use of medical plastic wastes as secondary raw material; another restricts certain 
[recycled] pla stics wastes/products that might negatively affect plastic recyclability.  
50. Furthermore, m any measures  (16) either promote or prescribe minimum targets and 
requirements for recycled content in certain plastic goods. Although most do not provide details on 
the specific requirements (several simply refer to promoting/requiring recycled content), those that 
do sho w an important variation in: specific products covered ([plastic] [beverage] [PET] bottles, 
packaging, stationary, products from polyolefins ); targets (5 -30% minimum content, or % of 
increase in recycled content [e.g. 40% increase]); sourcing (e.g. collect ed [and recycled] 
domestically ); and time  frames  for implementation (from 2022 to 2040). As more markets 
implement requirements or promote recycled content, there could be an important opportunity for 
further transparency and potential cooperation on the t opic. 
2.5.4   Specific polymers  
51. Many measures also target polymers (56), chemicals (8) and additives (2). While the TrPMs 
do not offer sufficient granularity to identify specific chemicals and additives that have been most 
often targeted, a couple of specific poly mers have been specifically targeted relatively recurrently: 
polystyrene (21) and p olyvinyl chloride , or PVC (5). For polystyrene, nine of the 21 TrPMs 
specifically targeted ' expanded polystyrene ' as a plastic of concern. Forty -two Members have TrPMs 
in the survey which target specific polymers, chemicals and/or additives.   
2.5.5   Care products , microplastics and exempted  medical  products  
52. With regards to specific industries, 15 TrPMs in the survey target care products, such as 
toiletries and cosmetics.  Six TrPMs restrict the intentional addition of plastic "microbeads" in [rinse -
off / exfoliating / cleaning / polishing ] cosmetics / personal care / hygiene products and toiletries 
(e.g. body wash, facial  and skin  cleanser s, scrub, shampoo , toothpastes).21 Three TrPM s provide 
definitions of microplastic/microbeads as being solid particles of 5 mm in size [in any dimension ]. 
The other TrPMs targeting specific products from the care and personal health industry aim at 
single -use products such as disposable diapers , abso rbents and sanitary napkins , or hazardous 
chemicals/additives of restricted use in care products packaging.  
53. Medical products have been specifically referred to in 1 2 TrPMs. In most cases  (10), TrPMs 
refer to such products as exempted from bans and/or restrictions on plastic content to ensure 
continuity of their use for medical and health purposes (e.g. plastic bottles used for medicines; 
plastic stemmed cotton buds and swabs used for certain p roducts in the health sector; plastic bags  
[exclusively]  used to package medical plants , prescription -only medicine or other medical 
purposes ; plastic straws for those who need them to eat or drink ). 
2.5.6   Type of criteria used to identif y products targeted by T rPMs  
54. The survey also allowed for a second categorization of the products covered to be developed 
based on the criteria or specific concern/objective reflected in the TrPM when targeting a particular 
product. This was possible in 195 of the 223 TrPMs, offer ing a different perspective through which 
to understand the data and targeted products. As can be seen in graph 13, the criteria used were 
varied and largely reflect the different objectives already explored in this report.   
 
20 The EU counting as 27 Members.  
21 One additional TrPM addresses "microplastics" not ass ociated with care products, but rather from a 
more general, marine pollution perspective.  INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 17 - 
 
  Graph  13. Harmonized types of criteria  
 
 
55. Recyclability of the product targeted was the criteria most often identified (in 101 TrPMs) , 
confirming the relevance  of this criterion in the survey  dataset . Many TrPMs, for instance, will refer 
to the potential/viability of the targeted produ ct to be [commercially] recycled or refer to its 
negative impact on other recyclable materials or process to justify its restriction. Similarly related 
to the end of life of the product targeted, degradability (42) and compostability  (13) were also 
targeted in several TrPMs.  
56. Not surprisingly, the "single -use" nature (or disposability) of products was another criterion 
often present in survey TrPMs (99). As already explored above, whether a certain "polymer" was 
used or the existence of certain [recycled] plastic content in a product are two criteria often present 
in TrPMs (in 56 and 26 TrPMs respectively). Finally, a series of other criteria were identified to a 
lesser extent, including hazardousness (30 TrPMs) of the targeted product s or their components, 
their particular effects on human, animal and/or plant life and health, and/or their negative effects 
on the [marine / aquatic] environment.  
2.5.7   Products  "promoted "  
57. As mentioned above, "promotion" has been a key topic of discussions in the Dialogue. While 
the objectives of 'promotion of alternatives and substitutes' and of 'waste management and other 
technologies' were identified in 76 and 28 TrPMs, respectively, the information available in the 
survey TrPMs does not allow for the identification of the specific products targeted by these 
measures in the same degree of granularity and details as those restricting and/or regulating plastic 
and other products.  
58. Nevertheles s, the survey allowed for the identification of five broad categories of products 
targeted  by the 76 TrPMs aiming to promote 'alternatives and substitutes' . Those categories are: 
i) biodegradable; ii) compostable; iii)  bio-sourced  (e.g. made from biomass, or bio -based) ; iv) 
reusable; or v) made (at least in part) of recycled material. Graph 14 provides the breakdown of 
TrPMs promoting these categories of products.  
INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Graph 14. Categories of products promoted by TrPMs  
 
 
59. The category most often identified in th e TrPMs are those promoting biodegradable products 
(18). As mentioned, very few specific goods/materials are expressly indicated as considered as 
biodegradable ( e.g. some bio -sourced materials following a specific certification), with the TrPMs 
identified largely promoting biodegradable products in general. The same is true for compostable 
(12 TrPMs) and reusable (6) products in the survey. As already explored, 16 TrPMs promoted 
products containing recycled content. Reusable products were targeted in six TrPMs, while 5 
promoted "bio -sourced" products, plastics  made of biomass or particles of "natural origin" [not 
liable to persist in the environment].  
60. Finally, materials like biomass, wood, pulp kraft paper, cellulose, bagasse, bamboo, palm, 
edible cutlery , and specific bio-based  plastics  (CPLA, PBS ), were  expressly  targeted  in one of the 
TrPMs. Another TrPM expressly referred to  2synthetic fibres made from biomass materials " (for use 
in textiles/clothing and construction material) and "alumin ium canned (bo ttle) water ". 
2.6  Challenges  and needs in the implementation of TrPMs  
61. The survey provided an opportunity for respondents to indicate existing challenges and 
potential needs in the implementation of TrPMs. Respondents could provide free -text answers to 
the ques tion and/or select specific challenges/needs from a harmonized list. Fifteen Members 
provided answers to this question relating to a total of 54 individual TrPMs .  
62. The free -text answers (available for 38 TrPMs) provide a wide range  of challenges indicated 
by respondent, both in general  and specific  terms.  Table  4 below provides an overview of some 
recurrent challenges and concerns.  
Table 4. Overview of challenges and concerns expressed through free -text replies  
General challenges/concerns  Specific challenge s/concerns  
Rapid increase in plastic pollution  Competitiveness and cost -of-living concerns  
Negative effects on the [domestic] 
natural/aquatic environment  Multi-stakeholder, public, civic engagement, 
including communication strategies  
Negative effects on economic sectors such as 
tourism or on health  Private sector / [recycling] industry 
participation  
Lack of adequate domestic waste 
management / recovery / recycling 
infrastructure  Unintended negative impacts on health and 
vulnerable populations  
Lack of enforcement  Access to internal/external funding/financing  
Domestic coordination  Customs control training, upgrade, adaptation  
Need for training/capacity  building  Absence of international standards  
 
INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 19 - 
 
  63. For the harmonized list, 12 options were provided, and respondents could select more than 
one challenge/need.22 Graph 15 provides the breakdown of answers for the 50 TrPMs covered.  
Graph  15. Challenges and needs  indicated for the implementation of TrPMs  
 
 
64. The most common challenge  among the answers covering the 50 TrPMs was  domestic private 
sector engagement with 33 entries (66%) . When contrasted to the objectives that these 50 TrPMs 
were seeking to achieve, it is interesting to note that domestic private sector engagement is 
include d as a particularly relevant challenge in most of such measures seeking to promote re use 
and remanufacturing (11 out of 15 TrPMs – or 73% - seeking such objective for which needs were 
indicated), promotion of alternatives and substitutes ( 78%) and addressi ng single -use plastics 
(76%).  
65. The second most often selected challenge was access to technology, in 26 TrPMs (52%). This 
challenge was alluded to relatively uniformly for all objectives pursued, roughly in half of the TrPMs 
seeking each objective. There wa s however a relatively high incidence of the objective for measures 
pursuing chemical, toxic, and hazardous substances management  (11 out of 14  TrPMs – or 79% 
- seeking such objective for which needs were indicated) and recycling (60%). This confirms the 
importance respondents assign to accessing technologies to ensure safe and sustainable 
downstream  operations.  It also worth noting that all but one of these TrPMs (10) also indicated 
'technical assistance on policy development ' as a particular need. This represents almost all TrPMs 
which indicated this particular need in the survey – 11 (22% of the total).  
66. Technical assistance on policy implementation was the third challenge/need most often found 
in the survey, with 25 entries (50% of TrPMs with challenges  indicated ). This need was similarly 
alluded to relatively uniformly for all objectives pursued , with a particularly high incidence in TrPMs 
seeking to address waste management (including its trans -boundary movement) and leakage 
avoidance  (19 out of t he 25 TrPMs , or 76% ) and recycling (68%) . 
67. The fourth challenge/need most often found in the survey was domestic civil society 
engagement, with 22 TrPMs (44%). The was a clear preponderance of this need in TrPMs seeking 
to address single -use plastic (17 out  of the 22 TrPMs indicating this need included this objective) 
and waste management and leakage avoidance (13 out of 22), while it was found more scarcely 
for other objectives.  
68. Finally, for other challenges/needs identified, a few insights were able to be  captured in the 
dataset. First, for those TrPMs indicating the challenge of certification, testing and metrology  (14), 
 
22 The harmonized options were access to technology; technical assistance on policy development; 
technical assistance on policy implementation ( e.g. market surveillanc e); certification, testing and metrology; 
customs challenges; financial and investment assistance; domestic private sector engagement; domestic civil 
society engagement; cooperation from exporting Members ; cooperation from value chain actors (incl. 
exporte rs); regional cooperation; other.  
INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 20 - 
 
  there was a relatively high incidence of the objectives to address single -use plastics (11) and 
promote alternatives and substitutes (7) , implying the relevance respondents accord to verification 
and certification of claims for the implementation of these objectives. While only 10 TrPMs indicated 
the challenge of ' cooperation from exporting Members' (only 20% of the total), they were relat ively 
overrepresented in the challenges identified to implement TrPMs to address chemical, toxic, and 
hazardous substances management , potentially reflecting  the need for  cooperation under 
international agreements such as the BRS Conventions.  
69. When examinin g the data from the perspective of the harmonized objectives pursued, it is 
notable that  TrPMs seeking to address single -use plastics seemed to indicate the widest range of 
needs. For all but one of the harmonized challenges/needs identified, addressing si ngle-use plastics 
was an objective included in more than 70% of the TrPMs identifying the need (on average 77%). 
This seems to imply that , more than for other objectives, there is a wide variety of challenges and 
a clear need for different kinds of support  when addressing this topic. Finally, the breakdown of 
challenges/needs faced by TrPMs pursuing "eco -designing" indicates a relatively higher importance 
of the specific needs of access to technology (identified in 14 of the 20 TrPMs – or 70% - targeting 
such objective) and policy implementation (12 of 20 – 60%).  
2.7  Mechanism s to assess  efficacy and efficiency of TrPMs   
70. The final type of data captured by the survey and examined in this report is whether there 
were mechanisms in place to assess the TrPM's  efficacy and/or efficiency and targeted results . 
Forty-four TrPMs in the survey contained information on the matter , 39 of which included a 
mechanism to assess efficacy and /or efficiency or which already provided results  (5 simply 
indicated that not targets had been set).  These 39 TrPMs came from 15 different Members. An 
analysis of the responses indicates  four general  types of information  were provide d: i) specific 
targets to be achieved in a certain hori zon; ii) instruments used to assess, monitor and evaluate 
the implementation of the TrPM and the achievement of its objectives; iii) the entities involved in 
the monitoring/assessment; and iv) results of the TrPMs implementation already reported.  
71. Table 5 p rovides an overview and examples of the information contained in the survey for 
each of the four categories.  
Table 5. Overview of mechanisms to assess efficacy and efficiency of TrPMs  
Target  Instrument  Entity involved  Results  
Reduction [in waste] and 
recycling goals [not 
specified] to be achieved 
in the period 2020 -2030  Forms  certifying entities of 
plastic bags  Products fully stopped entering 
the market  
By 2024, a 
comprehensive 
monitoring system is 
established, covering 250 
cities  Performance 
reports  concerned 
Bureaus/units under the 
Department of 
Environment and 
Natural Resources  Reduction from 283 to 89 
bags/inhabitant/year in 2019.  
Target [to be established] 
on the recovery of plastic 
beverage container  Annual 
sworn 
declarations  Municipalities, 
manufacturers, and 
waste generating 
businesses  Reduction at the domestic  level of 
the consumption of plastic bags for 
containment and transport of 
goods and products  
[increase in] Use of post -
consumer plastic in their 
production process  Master 
management 
plans  Committee established 
to address, monitor and 
develop plastic pollution 
prevention programme  Collection and recovery of plastic 
packaging waste increased to 3%  
The use of recycled 
plastic in packaging is 
increased by around 40% 
by 2022/23  Certification 
system  Independent third -party 
auditing  Single -use plastic carrier bags sold 
has fallen from 7.6 billion in 2014, 
to 197 million in 2021/2022, a 
reduction of over 97%  INF/TE/IDP/W/11  
 
- 21 - 
 
  Targets by 2025:  
• 70% of plastic 
packaging being recycled 
or composted  
• 50% of average 
recycled content included 
in [all] packaging  
• 20% of average 
recycled content included 
in plastic packaging  
  
  Industry 
reports 
[amount of 
plastic waste 
handled]  Domestic  Directorate of 
the Environment  Retailers have donated over £200 
million to good causes from the 
proceeds of the charge  
Waste statistics of plastic tableware 
disposed at landfill  Reduction of average annual per 
capta  consumption of single -use 
carrier bags from 140 in 2014 to 
around 3 [in 2022]  
Register of producers, importers and 
recyclers of single -use plastics  After 1 year, estimated reduction 
of 80%, implying at least 650 
million fewer bags used  
Routine and regular monitoring, 
evaluation and learning (MEL) 
processes  Beach litter data reflects falling 
numbers found on targeted 
beaches  
[[bi-]annual] Reviews [ at least every 5 
years]  Avoidance of delivery of around 
4,800 million plastic supermarket 
bags  
Targets by 2025 for 
industry:  
• 100% of packaging is 
reusable, recyclable or 
compostable  
• 70% of plastic 
packaging goes on to be 
recycled or composted   Post -implementation review  Reduction in volumes of controlled 
plastic waste imported and 
exported  
Estimates of future performance  Plastic waste levy rate raised by 
one won/ton leading to waste 
reduced by 0.15%  
Compliance rate 
verification/monitoring  Proper disposal and recycling of 
domestic waste plastics  
Analysis of trade -related data for plastic waste  
Regular audits of trade declarations  
programmes to educate the public  
[Independent third -party] auditing  
Product stewardship arrangements  
72. While several targets were general in nature ( e.g. "reduction in waste generation"; "increase 
in recycling [and recovering] rates") , they also varied in their time  frames . Nonetheless, the time  
frames  explicitly mentioned seemed to focus on the short to medium -term horizon (2023 -2030). 
For the few TrPMs that mentioned explicit targets, those were based on % increases in recycling 
(e.g. 40%), % of total products being recycled (70 -100%) and/or use of recycled content 
(20-50%). 
73. The instruments used to assess, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the TrPM  varied 
widely, including forms, reports, sworn declarations, registries, industry -led plans and product 
stewardship arrangements, certifications, waste management statistical data, trade -related data, 
spot-checks, audits and monitoring, periodical and pos t-implementation reviews, and public 
education programmes.  The entities involved in the monitoring included varied governmental 
bodies (e.g. environment ministries, directorates and departments), municipalities, private sector, 
newly established committees  and independent third -parties.  
74. Finally, several TrPMs already indicated often impressive results achieved. These varied in 
format and nature, including absolute and relative reductions in consumption of targeted goods 
(e.g. " reduction from 283 to 89 bag s/inhabitant/year"; "reduction of over 97% [of single -use 
plastic bags]"), % increases in collection and/or recycling of plastic wastes, decrease in leakage 
and littering, as well as results not directly related to the original objective of the measure 
(e.g. amount donated from plastic charges).  
__________