The marine conservation organization Oceana Peru welcomes the publication of the Regulation of the Plastics Law ( Law No. 30884 ), but warns of gaps that may jeopardize the effective application of the regulation that seeks to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics, such as bags, straws, technopor containers and PET bottles, as well as their effects on the environment and health.
It is positive that the regulation includes provisions on periodicity, the media and other mechanisms for consumer education and awareness actions. At the same time, the Ministry of Production will carry out the same task with the manufacturers, importers and distributors of plastic goods, which will include training and technical assistance for micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.
However, there is a lack of precision in key measures such as the goals for the progressive reduction of technopor packaging, nor are there any goals for the progressive incorporation of recycled material in PET bottles, for which it only indicates that producers will receive technical assistance from the Ministry of the Environment. .
Along the same lines, the table of infractions and sanctions has gaps, which is very serious because it limits the ability to monitor breaches of the rule. “No infractions have been established for some of the prohibitions such as the use and consumption of single-use plastics on beaches on the coast and in the Amazon, as well as protected natural areas, among other places of importance indicated in the law,” emphasizes Carmen Heck. , Policy Director of Oceana Peru.
“Neither have the offenses been established for the prohibition on the manufacture, import, distribution and commercialization of non-biodegradable bags, nor for dishes, glasses, tableware and other utensils for food and beverages that are not recyclable and those whose degradation generates contamination by microplastics or dangerous substances ”, he adds.
In addition, it postpones indicating the requirements and the procedure for producers and importers to obtain the Biodegradability Certificate, leaving this task to a technical regulation that will be provided later.
“As long as there are no technical regulations, it will not be possible to fully implement the measures provided by law. It cannot be defined when a good is considered biodegradable or not. This is necessary, for example, to know whether or not to apply the tax to a bag, “explains Heck.
The regulation must ground what the law dictates and indicate how this process will be. Failure to do so runs the risk that when the various prohibitions come into force they will not become effective.
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 225 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.oceana.org to learn more.