Govt grants 6-month grace period for disposable tableware rules

The government will inspect 40,000 eateries and establishments during the adaptation period.

The government has announced a six-month grace period for the regulation of disposable tableware and plastic products, during which non-compliant businesses will not face enforcement actions.

The legislation will take effect on April 22, followed by the 6-month grace period. The government will then implement the measure progressively, in stages.

At the early stage, the government will deploy staff to inspect 20,000 eateries and 20,000 retail stores, hotels, and guest houses to educate them on the legislation.

At a later stage, staff will visit non-compliant businesses to remind them of the requirements and offer advice and information.

The government advised businesses to exhaust their stock of regulated products within the adaptation period to prevent waste and start sourcing alternatives as soon as possible.

After the adaptation period, the government will assess non-compliant businesses individually and give further education, advice, or warnings based on their specific circumstances. Meanwhile, repeat offenders will face enforcement actions.

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