Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

28 May 2010 

Publication where the measure is specified

Statutory Instrument 98 of 2010 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Environmental Management (Plastic Packaging and Plastic Bottles) Regulations, 2010. 

Country/Region applying the measure

Zimbabwe 

The rationale of the measure

The purpose of compulsory specification is to assist the implementation of the Plastic Packaging and Plastic Bottles Regulations in order to protect the environment 

Coded list of objectives

E: Protection of the environment 

Description of the measure

3(1) The manufacture for use within Zimbabwe, commercial distribution or importation of plastic packaging with a wall thickness of less than thirty micrometers is prohibited, unless it can be provided that they are-
(a) Plastic bread packaging and clingy film used as plastic barrier packaging of a wall thickness of between twenty-five micrometers and thirty micrometers; or
(b) biodegradable plastic packaging.
(2) No ink shall be used for printing on plastic and plastic bottles unless the ink and the printing thereof complies with the compulsory specification as provided in the Schedule
(3) Any plastic product found to be in contravention of sections 3(1) and 3(2) shall be recalled from the system.
6. Any responsible person who contravenes section 3 shall be guilty of an offence and liable to fine not exceeding level fourteen, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or both such fine and imprisonment.
SCHEDULE (Section 2 and 3)
Compulsory Specification
The purpose of compulsory specification is to assist the implementation of the Plastic Packaging and Plastic Bottles Regulations in order to protect the environment. These specifications cover requirements for packaging that is made from thermo-plastic materials and covers plastic, and carrier packaging both domestically produced and imported for use within Zimbabwe. It also covers the thickness and printing requirements for these packaging.
The specifications do not cover bread packaging, which may have a thickness of twenty-five micrometers.
Requirements
1(a) Plastic packaging, offered for the trade of commercial distribution as carrier packaging, shall be made from plastic film consisting of polypropylene.
(b)When the film of the plastic carrier packaging is measured in accordance with section 3(1),no individual thickness measurement shall be less than thirty micrometers.

Printing requirements

2(a) Ink used for printing on plastic carrier bags shall be classified as one of the following types:
Type A: Ink that is a single resin based system, based on co-solvent polyamide
Type B: Ink that does not comply with the requirements for a type A
(b) when compliance with the requirements for a type A ink is claimed, the claimant shall supply and develop a form with the requirements for type ‘A’ with the consignment of batch bags.
(c) when dried ink is tested in accordance with test method 3(b), type A ink shall not exhibit any change of colour.
(d) For ink of type A, the mass percentage of dried solids of the printed ink, relative to the mass of an unprinted packaging, shall not exceed 2.25 per centum.
(e) For ink of type B, the mass percentage of dried solids of the printed ink, relative to the mass of an unprinted packaging, shall not exceed 1.125 per centum. 

Reference of the measure

Sections 3, 6 and SCHEDULE (Section 2 and 3) 1&2 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Packaging that is made from thermo-plastic materials and covers plastic, and carrier packaging both domestically produced and imported for use within Zimbabwe 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries