The Rules amending the Rules on packaging and packaging waste were drafted because of the Republic of Croatia’s obligation to transpose into national law the provisions of Directive (EU) 2015/720 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 amending Directive 94/62/EC as regards reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags, and because of the required harmonisation of the existing national system of labelling product packaging with the provisions of Commission Decision 97/129/EC for the purposes of implementing Article 8 of Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.

These draft rules define measures for reducing the consumption of plastic carrier bags. As of 31 December 2018, the provision of free lightweight plastic carrier bags at points of sale of goods or products shall be prohibited. At places where very lightweight plastic carrier bags are provided free of charge, the seller shall post a visible notice for consumers concerning the sparing and rational use of these bags with the following sign: ‘VREĆICA ČUVA HRANU, A VI OKOLIŠ’ [THE BAG PROTECTS THE FOOD, AND YOU PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT].