Filenews 24 March 2022
The Plenum of the Parliament passed a law to harmonize with an EU directive on the reduction of the impact of plastic products on the environment and prohibits, among other things, the sale of certain single-use plastics. 30 MPs voted in favour and 3 ELAM MPs voted against.
At the same time, an amendment was passed that gives an extension of three months from 30 April 2022 to 30 September 2022 in the period within which the availability of single-use plastic products is allowed on the market, provided that they were placed on the market before 3 July 2021, in order to allow time to exhaust the stocks of importers who have already ordered them, but they have not yet received them due to the delays created in the transport of goods due to the pandemic. This amendment of the DIKO was voted marginally, with 17 votes in favour and 16 against.
The law passed provides, among other things, for a ban on the placing on the market of certain single-use plastic products, such as cutlery, straws and cotton buds, as well as products made of oxo-degradable plastics.
There is also an obligation to take measures aimed at reducing the consumption of certain single-use plastic products for which there are no alternatives.
It also provides for the imposition of specific requirements in relation to these plastics, such as specific percentages of recycled material content in them, as well as requirements in relation to their labelling and/or design.
There is also an obligation to participate in extended producer responsibility schemes in relation to these plastics and to take measures to inform and sensitize consumers.
The Environment Committee in an amendment made to the bill stipulated that the availability of the stock of single-use plastic products whose placing on the market is prohibited from 3 July 2021 should be allowed until 30 April 2022, provided that the placing on the market of those products was made before 3 July 2021.
The President of the Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation Charalambos Theopempou, after noting that based on the directive, Cyprus had an obligation to harmonize in July 2021, said that if any extension is granted with amendments, Cyprus will enter into adventures with the EU. Regarding the stocks of importers he said that there were assurances from the Government before the deadline and if they present the relevant evidence they will not have a problem.
Regarding the law, he said that it will bring about tremendous changes in the lives of citizens, with new products in the Cypriot market and an opportunity for smart and new business actions.
He also noted that this war on plastics by the EU is because there are frightening amounts of plastic in nature, residues have been found in blood tests, in rivers and in fish, since many of these plastics end up in the sea. He added that even neighbouring countries of Cyprus dump their plastics into the sea and many end up on the beaches of Cyprus through the sea currents. He also noted that the Government should see the plastics that enter the market from Cypriot producers and many of them are not recycled.
AKEL MP Nikos Kettiros noted that the Environment Committee is not responsible for the delay, since while the law was to be implemented on July 3, 2021, the Government submitted the relevant bill on December 3, 2021.
Due to the delay, he said, some people had already placed orders and put stock. He supported the amendment of the DIKO to give time to the units to sell their products and to take advantage of the tourist season.
DIKO MP Chrysanthos Savvides said that for the umpteenth time they are facing a harmonizing bill with delay, not with the responsibility of the Parliament. He added that considering the poor economic environment due to the pandemic, they allow three months to exhaust the stocks of importers who are still waiting for them to come, while they are not talking about new orders.
Disy MP Prodromos Alampritis spoke of a very important bill and said that it is of great importance to harmonize, with the aim of preventing and reducing certain plastics and transitioning to the circular economy. He disagreed with the amendment, saying that there had been information for a year, there have already been delays and there will probably be consequences if there are any further ones.
The MP of DIPA – Cooperation of Democratic Forces Michalis Giakoumi said that the law is not only about an obligation towards the EU but also about our moral obligation to protect the planet that hosts us. He declared the party's readiness to contribute and strengthen the effort and argued in favour of the bill and against the amendment.
ELAM MP Linos Papagiannis said that he does not consider that the state is ready to adopt this strict directive and the "bride" will be paid for by the consumer and those involved in the profession. He said the state does not have the appropriate services to implement the directive and in many areas has not provided for recycling. He added that they will vote against it so as not to punish citizens while the purpose of the law will not be achieved.
CNA
