The 2019 Single-Use Plastics Directive addresses the problem of marine - principally plastic - litter. It aims to reduce waste and promote a circular economy.

Specifically, the Directive has introduced a mix of measures that apply to different categories of single-use plastic products, covering products fully or partially made from plastics. Where alternatives are easily available and affordable, single-use plastic products have been banned from the market. For other such products, the EU is focusing on limiting their use by reducing consumption and promoting re-usable alternatives. For fishing gear containing plastics, specific measures include setting up extended producer responsibility schemes, monitoring and reporting requirements, and setting up national annual collection rates for recycling.

As part of this evaluation process, the Commission has launched a public consultation. This is the first step in examining how well the Directive has performed in reducing the impact of certain plastic products on the marine environment and on human health, while promoting a circular, innovative and sustainable economy. The evaluation will assess whether the Directive is still fit for purpose and whether new rules are needed.

The consultation and call for evidence are open to all interested parties, including individuals, businesses, NGOs, public authorities and academia. All stakeholders are invited to share their views through the online survey, available in the 24 official EU languages until 17 March.