Definition of single-use plastic products

Food containers are containers such as boxes, with or without lids, for food - even if sold empty and not to be filled at the point of sale.

It is a food container if it:

a) is intended for immediate consumption either at the point of sale or as takeaway

b) is typically consumed from the container

c) is ready to be consumed without further preparation such as frying, boiling or heating, including food containers used for fast food or other meals ready for immediate consumption, except beverage containers, plates and wrapping bags and wrappers containing food.

It is a packet or wrapper if it:

a) is made of a flexible material

b) containing food intended for immediate consumption from the packet or wrapper without any further preparation

Beverage containers with a capacity of up to three litres which are used to contain liquids, e.g. beverage bottles, including their caps and lids.

Exceptions:
Glass and metal beverage containers which have plastic caps and lids and certain types of beverage containers and bottles used for food for special medical purposes.

Plastic carrier bags with a wall thickness of less than 50 microns.

Pre-soaked wipes for personal care, e.g. cleansing and care of the skin of both adults and infants, e.g. baby wipes, cosmetic/makeup removal wipes, intimate wipes, etc. as well as for household use, e.g. for cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces, wet wipes for cleaning personal vehicles, spectacle cleaning wipes, etc.

Exceptions:
Wet wipes conceived, designed and marketed for professional use, such as medical or healthcare wipes, do not fulfil the criteria of personal or household care and are not explicitly mentioned in the Directive. These products are therefore not considered to fall within the scope of the Directive.

Wet wipes made exclusively from natural polymers that are not chemically modified, such as viscose and lyocell, fall outside the scope of the directive.

A balloon is a non-porous bag of light material intended to be inflated with air or gas. 

It is a balloon if:

• There are seals, valves and closure mechanisms - absence of valve or seal to allow multiple inflations and deflation.
• Balloons which require a knot to be tied or a string or ribbon to be attached to prevent air from escaping and losing quality with repeated tying and untying. Therefore, they are considered to be disposable.
• Balloons which are designed to be inflated and deflated via a (re)closable valve without loss of quality or functionality between uses are considered to be multi-use.

The point of purchase, the distribution channel and the type of end user are important elements in determining whether balloons are intended for domestic or commercial use.

Refillable balloons which are purchased filled with air or helium are considered disposable because the customer is not able to refill them. Self-filling balloons (with integrated filling mechanism) are also considered disposable.

Exceptions:
Balloons for industrial or other commercial use and applications which are not distributed to consumers, sold through industrial or commercial channels, e.g. business-to-business or applications such as research, weather balloons, industrial and commercial decoration, and not distributed to consumers.

Tobacco products with filters and filters marketed for use in combination with tobacco products.

These are filters for tobacco products if:

• The product is a tobacco product (as defined in Article 2(4) of Directive 2014/40/EU) and the product contains a filter, such as a cigarette or cigar.
• The product is a separate filter for use with tobacco products, e.g. a filter or mini filter.