In accordance with regulation 20(1) of the Environmental Protection (Prohibited Plastics and Balloons) Regulations 2018 the Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the department) may grant an exemption if it is reasonably necessary to so. The exemption notice below provides a ‘Class Exemption’ for businesses supplying prescribed plastic items under specified circumstances provided in the notice:
Note: The Environmental Protection (Prohibited Plastics and Balloons) Regulations 2018 do not recognise European certification. Australian certification must have been achieved to continue supply items when this class exemption expires.
Other conditions apply, so please read the exemption notice carefully to determine whether the exemption applies to your circumstances.
Stage 1 class exemption expired 31 December 2023
The class exemption for unlidded bowls, cups for cold beverages, and unlidded food containers made from lined paperboard expired on 31 December 2023.
To accommodate the peak retail period, the department is providing a two-month period for businesses relying on the class exemption to apply for a separate exemption. This period started on Monday, 1 January 2024 and will end on Friday, 1 March 2024.
The class exemption for Stage 2 products, such as hot beverage cups and container lids, is not affected and will remain in place until 2025.
