The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia has issued information regarding the ban on certain plastic items intended for contact with food, which comes into force from January 1, 2026.

“At the initiative of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the Government of Georgia has introduced amendments to Resolution No. 304 of June 8, 2022, ‘On the Approval of Plastic Materials and Products (Items) Intended for Contact with Food’.

The amendment, which will take effect on January 1, 2026, introduces a ban on certain plastic items designed for contact with food.

The production (except for export purposes), import, and placing on the market of plastic forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, plates, napkins, beverage stirrers, food containers made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) and their lids, and cups made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) and their lids will be banned.

Additionally, the supply of ready-made food to consumers by public catering establishments using single-use plastic food containers and cups will be prohibited,” the ministry said in its statement.

According to the ministry, the regulation does not apply to single-use plastic packaging products (items) intended for packaged food. They also note that the resolution provides for a transitional period.

“Plastic forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, plates, napkins, beverage stirrers, food containers made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) and their lids, and cups made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) and their lids that were placed on the market before this resolution came into effect may remain on the market for three months following the resolution’s entry into force.

Furthermore, the provision of ready-made food to consumers by public catering establishments using single-use plastic food containers and cups will be permitted for six months from the date the resolution comes into force, starting January 1, 2026.

Within their respective competencies, compliance with the amendments to the technical regulation will be monitored by the National Food Agency, the Environmental Supervision Department, and the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia.

It is important to note that the production of the aforementioned plastic items for export purposes is not prohibited. A manufacturer producing plastic items intended for contact with food for export purposes must notify the Environmental Supervision Department, an agency subordinate to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, in writing one month before commencing production, providing details of both the start and end dates of production, the quantity of products (items) to be manufactured, the destination countries for export, and the export completion dates,” the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s statement concludes.