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It has been four years since the European Union waged war on plastic cutlery, straws, and stirrers. Now, Brussels wants to know if the strategy is actually working.
The European Commission has officially launched a major "check-up" on its landmark Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). In a move to gauge the real-world impact of the legislation, the Commission has opened a public consultation, inviting everyone, from industry giants to everyday citizens, to submit evidence and share their experiences.
The "mid-term" report card
The review comes at a critical juncture. Since the bans and restrictions first took effect, the goal has been ambitious: to drastically cut the volume of plastic trash choking marine environments, mitigate health risks, and force a pivot toward a "circular" economy where waste is designed out of the system.
However, the Commission isn't just taking the directive's success for granted. As legally required, a comprehensive evaluation must be completed by July 2027. This deep dive will assess the law on five key fronts: effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence, and the tangible value it adds to the EU.
In a press statement, the Commission noted that these findings will be the deciding factor on whether the current rules are sufficient, or if "new rules are necessary" to finish the job.
Have your say
The Commission is casting a wide net for feedback. The call for evidence is open to all interested parties, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic researchers, public authorities, and private businesses.
Crucially, the floor is also open to the general public. Residents across the bloc are encouraged to weigh in via an online survey, which has been made available in all 24 official EU languages.
Stakeholders have ample time to prepare their arguments; the consultation window will remain open until 17 March 2026.
