The government approved the bills of the Republic of Armenia on making amendments and additions to the Law "On Trade and Services" and related laws. As noted by the Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan, the package of bills provides for: From January 1, 2027, the sale of plastic bags and sacks, as well as their presence in retail trade facilities, public catering establishments, mobile trading points, and fairs, with the exception of bags intended for packaging and garbage produced from secondary raw materials, will be prohibited. According to the minister, the ban will also apply to plastic bags and sacks with a thickness of more than 50 microns. Reusable bags made of paper and cloth are being considered as an alternative.
The following will also be prohibited:
the presence or distribution of single-use plastic or foam-plastic containers and tableware (plates, cups, spoons, forks, knives, drinking or stirring sticks) in the same locations.
Here as well, an exception is made for plastic containers with lids used for packaging products sold by weight.
Paper or wooden tableware, as well as containers made of paper or foil, are recommended as alternatives.
Economic entities violating the prohibitions established by these drafts will be subject to administrative liability: a warning for a first violation, and a fine of 100,000–150,000 drams for repeated violations.
Oversight of administrative offenses will be carried out jointly by the Market Surveillance Inspection Body and Local Self-Government Bodies.