Cabinet Decisions on the Cabinet Order to Set the Effective Date for the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics and on the Cabinet Order for Enforcement of the Same Act

1. Background

Triggered by global actions on issues such as marine plastic litter issues, climate change, and enhanced import control of waste materials in other countries, Japan recognizes the growing importance of further promotion of domestic resource circulation for plastics.

In light of this, the 204th Ordinary Session of the Diet enacted the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics (Act No. 60 of 2021), which is to take measures to promote efforts for resource circulation of plastics (3R+Renewable), targeting all entities involved in the entire lifecycle of plastic-containing products ranging from product design to waste disposal.

Relevant Cabinet decisions were made today to establish the Act's effective date, the matters therein that will be subject to a Cabinet order, and other specifics.

2. Outline of the Cabinet orders

(1) Order for Enforcement of the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics

(i)  Examination on design of plastic-containing products

• The order specifies the fees and other details of technical examinations that manufacturers, etc. of plastic-containing products will undergo concerning their conformity with the Guidelines for design of such products.

(ii) Designation of specific plastic-containing products and industries, and businesses subject to recommendations, etc. concerning the said products

• The order designates 12 plastic items (cutlery, amenities, etc.) and industries such as retailers and food businesses that provide these items for free as "target products" and "target industries" for specific plastic-containing products. It determines criteria that specify businesses subject to recommendation, etc. by the competent ministers to be businesses that provided 5 tons or more of the said products in the previous fiscal year, and others.

(iii) Standards, etc. for consigning jobs related to collecting and recycling plastic waste

• The order provides standards, etc. for when municipalities or businesses certified by the competent minister consign jobs related to their plastic waste recycling plans.

(iv) Businesses subject to recommendation, etc. concerning industrial waste plastic-containing products, etc.

• The order determines criteria that specify the "targets for recommendation, etc." by the competent minister to be businesses that generated 250 tons or more of industrial waste plastic-containing products and other waste in the previous fiscal year, and others.

(2) Cabinet Order to Set the Effective Date for the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics

• The order sets the effective date for the Act as April 1, 2022.

Related Links

• Cabinet Decision on the Bill for the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics (March 9, 2021)

Division in Charge

Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Division, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau