On 30 July 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China officially released GB/T 21302-2026, *General Rules of Plastic Laminated Films and Pouches for Packaging*. Administered by the China National Light Industry Council and managed by the National Technical Committee TC48 on Plastic Products Standardization, the standard will **take effect on 1 February 2027**, **fully replacing the current GB/T 21302-2007 edition.

China’s National Development and Reform Commission has issued the *Action Plan for Promoting Recycled Materials*. Plastic packaging is listed as a key application sector for recycled materials. Medium‑ and long‑term industry targets are defined to boost large‑scale adoption of recycled plastics, which significantly impacts domestic flexible packaging manufacturers and foreign‑trade exports.

In May 2026, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) launched a public consultation on reforms to the UK Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT). The proposed policy changes are scheduled to come into force in April 2027, bringing far-reaching compliance adjustments to manufacturers exporting plastic packaging bags and flexible plastic packaging to the United Kingdom.

California SB54 Starts Collecting Packaging Environmental Fees in August, Cost Rises for Plastic Bag Exporters

The Ecological and Environmental Code of the People's Republic of China officially takes effect on August 15, ushering in a new stage of law-based governance for plastic packaging control.