At the March 19 sitting of the RA NA Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan presented draft law “On Making Amendment and Addendum” to the law “On Trade and Services”, along with the attached presented package of the draft laws, aimed at environmental protection and the gradual reduction and eventual ban on single-use polyethylene products.
The proposed legislative package proposes to prohibit, from 1 January 2027, the distribution and use of polyethylene bags and pouches, as well as single-use containers and tableware (including plates, cups, spoons, forks, knives, straws and stir sticks) in trade outlets, public catering establishments, fairs, and other points of sale. Exceptions will apply to loose produce bags and some special-purpose containers.
The draft also introduces enforcement mechanisms. A warning will be issued for a first violation, while repeated violations will result in fines ranging from AMD 100,000 to 150,000. Oversight will be carried out jointly by local self-government bodies and the Market Surveillance Inspection Body of the RA. In addition, monitoring tools based on an “observation” approach are to be introduced.
“As an important step for Armenia, limiting the consumption of single-use plastics carries not only environmental, but also economic and political significance. With this initiative, ahead of COP17, Armenia is acting as a responsible state committed to the principles of sustainable development,” the Minister noted.