Commencement

These Regulations shall come into force on January 15th, 2020. Environmental Protection 201 SCHEDULE I [Regulation 3] RESTRICTED PRODUCTS Note This List only applies to single-use plastic products Note The items in Bold are not restricted and are for guidance/reference purposes only to identify Tariff Heading. Further guidance notes on Tariff Codes and Description of Goods can be found in Chapter 39 Plastics and Articles Thereof HS Code Description of Goods 39.02 Polymer of propylene or of other olefins, in primary forms 3902.10.00.00 -Polypropylene 39.03 Polymers of styrene, in primary forms 3903.11.00.00 -Polystyrene: --Expansible 39.20 Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, or plastics, non- cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials 3920.10.00.00 -Of polymers of ethylene 3930.20.00.00 -Of polymers of propylene 3920.30.00.00 -Of polymers of styrene 39.23 Articles of conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics, stoppers, lids, caps, and other closures, of plastics Boxes, cases, crates and similar articles: ---Egg Boxes ---Other 3923.10.10.00 3923.10.90.00 -Sacks & bags (including cones): --Of polymers of ethylene (inclusive of plastic bags and single-use plastic products classified as barrier bags and barrier plastics) --Of other plastics 3923.21.00.00 3923.29.00.00 Stoppers, lids, caps and closures: ---Lids and caps ---Other 3923.50. 10.00 3923.50.90.00 202 Environmental Protection Other: ---Cups, other than tableware or 39.24 ---Plates and Trays (inclusive of single-use plastic 3923.90.90.00 products classified as barrier bags and barrier plastics) ---Other 39.24 Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and hygiene or toilet articles, of plastic 3923.90.10.00 3923.90.10.10 -Tableware and kitchenware ---Cups, forks, knives, plates, spoons, tumblers ---Drinking straws ---Other 3924.10.10.00 3924.10.20.00 3924.10.90.00 Environmental Protection 203 SCHEDULE II [Regulation 3] Prohibited products Note* This list only applies to single-use plastic products Note* The single use plastics listed below are prohibited as per PART IV Note* This schedule describes single use plastic products to be phase–out of the market Note* This schedule only applies to single use plastic products in Schedule I that are made of and/or wholly composed entirely of plastic (90% or more of the total polymer content), wherein the product description and/or classification is as follows• Single Use Styrofoam clamshell • Single Use Styrofoam food containers • Single Use Styrofoam soup containers • Single Use Styrofoam plates • Single Use Styrofoam cups and lids • Single Use Styrofoam and Plastic Plates (not classified as Barrier Bags and Plastics) • Single Use Plastic carrier bags commonly referred to as shopping bags and/or T–shirt bags • Single Use Plastic and Styrofoam disposable food containers, cutlery, and eating utensils 204 Environmental Protection • Single Use Plastic forks, knives, spoons, sporks, cutlery, etc. • Single Use Plastic plates • Single Use Plastic bowls • Single Use Plastic cups • Single-use disposable drinking straws • Single Use Plastic cups and lids (not classified as barrier bags and plastics) • Single Use Plastic and Styrofoam containers (not classified as barrier bags and plastics) Further detailed description to provide guidance to General Public, Customs & Excise Department, and the Department of the Environment on application of Schedule II• Food Containers, i.e. receptacles such as boxes, plates, bowls, trays, etc., with or without cover, used to contain food or liquids that is intended for immediate consumption from the receptacle either on-the-spot or as take-away without preparation, composed of either plastic or Styrofoam or both. • Cups for liquids, beverages, etc., with or without cover, lids, that is intended for immediate consumption from the receptacle either on-the-spot or as take-away without preparation, composed either of plastic or Styrofoam or both. • Plastic carrier bags, i.e. shopping bags, lightweight plastic bags, commonly referred to as T-Shirt bags, designed and intended for one-time use to transport goods Environmental Protection 205 NOTE* The phase-out of the products described in Schedule II should not include products used for medical purposes, pharmaceutical purposes, and as barrier bags and plastics, necessary for health and safety, unless a reasonable alternative already exists on the local market. 206 Environmental Protection SCHEDULE III [Regulation 4] Application for Permit to Import a Restricted Product 1. Name of Applicant importing restricted product: 2. Name of Business (if applicable): 3. Contact Information: Address: Phone Number: Email: Any other contact Information: 4. Taxpayer Identification Number (T.I.N): 5. Name of Product being imported: 6. HS Code of Product – Please tick the restricted product HS Code for restricted product being imported: □ 3902.10.00.00 -Polypropylene □ 3903.11.00.00 -Polystyrene–Expansible □ 3920.10.00.00 -Of polymers of ethylene □ 3920.20.00.00 -Of polymers of propylene □ 3920.30.00.00 -Of polymers of styrene □ 3923.10.10.00 ---Egg Boxes □ 3923.10.90.00 ---Other □ 3923.21.00.00 --Of Polymers of ethylene (inclusive of plastic bags and single-use plastic products classified as barrier bags and barrier plastics) □ 3923.29.00.00 --Of other plastics □ 3923.50.10.00 ---Lids and caps □ 3923.50.90.00 ---Other □ 3923.90.10.00 ---Cups, other than tableware or 39.24 □ 3923.90.10.10 ---Plates and Trays (inclusive of single-use plastic products classified as barrier bags and barrier plastics) □ 3924.10.10.00 ---Cups, forks, knives, plates, spoons, tumblers (single-use plastic cutlery and eating utensils) □ 3924.10.20.00 ---Drinking straws Environmental Protection 207 □ 3924.10.90.00 ---Other □ None of the above Other HS Code: 6. Description of product to be imported: 7. Type and composition of product: 8. Quantity of product (number/weight/volume etc.) 9. Origin of product: 10.Contact Information of Manufacturer of product being imported Name: Address: Phone Number: Email: Any other contact Information 11. Purpose/Use of product: 12. Is the restricted product listed in Schedule II? □ Yes or □ No 208 Environmental Protection If yes, please tick which product is being imported: □ Plastic Carrier bags □ Styrofoam Clamshells □ Styrofoam Food Containers □ Styrofoam Soup Containers □ Styrofoam Plates □ Styrofoam Bowls □ Styrofoam Cups □ Styrofoam Lids □ Styrofoam Trays □ Plastic Plates □ Plastic Trays □ Plastic Containers □ Plastic Bowls □ Plastic Cups □ Plastic Food Containers □ Plastic Lids □ Single-use plastic cutlery and eating utensils (forks, knives, spoons, sporks, etc.) □ Single-use plastic disposable drinking straws □ None of the above 13. Is the restricted product being imported intended to be used as a barrier bag and plastic? □ Yes or □ No 14. Is the restricted product being imported intended to be used for: (a) Medical purposes? □ Yes or □ No (b) Pharmaceutical purposes? □ Yes or □ No (c) Barrier bag or plastic? □ Yes or □ No Environmental Protection 209 15. If intended for use as barrier bags or plastics, please specify: (a) Intended sector for use: (b) Describe of distribution / point or sale: (c) State if you are the wholesaler, distributor, retailers, or end-user of product: (d) Please state intended end-user of product (if known): 16. State if the product is: □ Biodegradable □ Non-biodegradable □ Compostable □ Degradable If product is NON-BIODEGRADABLE, please move to question 23. 17. If the product is biodegradable, or compostable, or degradable, is the product: □ classified as commercially biodegradable plastic □ NOT classified as commercially biodegradable plastic 18. If product is commercially biodegradable plastic, specify type of plastic: □ bio-based plastic □ compostable plastic □ biodegradable plastic □ Environmentally degradable plastic 19. Is product compliant with minimum national standards? □ Yes or □ No □ Other 20. Does the product have third-party certification? □ Yes or □ No If yes, state year and certification information 210 Environmental Protection 21. If the product is classified as commercially biodegradable plastic, has the product undergone conformity assessment? □ Yes or □ No If yes, provide certification information and state: year conformity assessment was conducted: name of independent testing laboratory: certification issued: 22. Has the product been registered as per regulation 10? □ Yes or □ No If yes, provide the Product Registration Number 23. If product to be imported is Non-Biodegradable, please specify: (a) intended sector for use: (b) describe of distribution / point of sale: (c) state name of distributor, retailers, or end-user of product: (d) please state intended end-user of product (if known): 24. Please check which documentation (if any) for the restricted product is being submitted along with completed application: □ Copy of Receipt of payment of non-refundable fee (mandatory) □ Material Safety Data Sheet / Safety Data Sheet □ Product Certification (if applicable) □ Third-Party Certification (if applicable) □ Conformity Assessment Documentation (if applicable) □ Notarized translation of documentation / certification – Original (if documents requires translation into English □ None of the above □ Other: State Environmental Protection 211 25. Is all the above information and documentation provided in this application accurate and truthful? □ Yes or □ No Date: Signature of Applicant: For Official Use Only: To be filled in by Vetting Officer Is this a 1st time applicant? □ Yes or □ No Is this the 1st importation of the restricted product? □ Yes or □ No Has the applicant paid the non-refundable fee? □ Yes or □ No Is the application complete? □ Yes or □ No Is the application accurate? □ Yes or □ No Are the documents acceptable? □ Yes or □ No Is the restricted product listed in Schedule II? □ Yes or □ No Is the restricted product intended for use as: Barrier bags and plastics □ Yes or □ No Medical purposes □ Yes or □ No Pharmaceutical purposes □ Yes or □ No Is the restricted product biodegradable, or compostable, or degradable? □ Yes or □ No or □ Not Applicable If biodegradable, or compostable, or degradable: Is it classified as commercially biodegradable plastic? □ Yes or □ No Does it meet all the requirements and/or standards? □ Yes or □ No Does it have acceptable 3rd party certification? □ Yes or □ No Has the product undergone a conformity assessment within the last 5 years? □ Yes or □ No or □ Not Applicable Notes: Recommend approval to grant permit to import: □ Yes or □ No If No, Provide Reasons: 212 Environmental Protection Note: *Provide any other documentation/importation as may be required by the Chief Environmental Officer. *Pursuant to regulation 11, if the information provided in this application is false or misleading, the Chief Environmental Officer may refuse the grant of a permit or cancel the permit if already issued. Environmental Protection 213 SCHEDULE IV [Regulation 7] ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (CAP. 328) PERMIT TO IMPORT RESTRICTED PRODUCT THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT HEREBY GRANTS A PERMIT TO: (Name of Importer and Name of Business, where applicable) located at (address of importer/ business) to import a restricted product pursuant to an application for importation dated the _ day of (month), 20___. Type and quota of restricted product for which this permit is being authorized: HS Code of Product: Production Description: Type: Quotation: Dates of issue: (day, month, year) Date of Expiration: (day, month, year) Date: Signature: Chief Environmental Officer Department of the Environment This PERMIT is granted subject to the following conditions: 1. Is for one (1) time importation only. 2. Valid for one hundred and eighty (180) days from date of issue. 3. Is not transferrable. 4. Is not renewable. 5. Any other conditions stipulated by the Chief Environmental Officer. 214 Environmental Protection SCHEDULE V [Regulation 13 (2)] NOTICE OF RETURN Dear Please take notice that the restricted product listed below shall be returned to the place of origin within 30 days of the date of issue of this notice. This Notice of Return is issued as a result of the importation of the restricted product without a permit pursuant to regulation 13(2) of the Environmental Protection (Pollution from Plastics) Regulations. IMPORTER: Name/Business Name: Address: Phone Number: Email: RESTRICTED PRODUCT Name of Product: HS Code of Product: Description of Product Imported: Quantity of Product: Origin of Product: Note: * Pursuant to regulation 13(3) of the Environmental Protection (Pollution from Plastics) Regulations, the importer of any product confiscated, is responsible to pay the costs for return of the restricted product or be subject to legal action. Date of Issuance: Signature: Chief Environmental Officer Department of the Environment. Environmental Protection 215 SCHEDULE VI [Regulation 15] Application for Licence to Manufacture a Restricted Product □ First time application □ Renewal 1. Name of Owner: 2. Contact Information of Owner: Address: Phone Number: Email: Any other contact information: 3. Name of Registered Business: 4. Contact Information of Registered Business Mailing address: Location address: (if different) Phone number: Email: Any other contact information: 5. Taxpayer Identification Number (T.I.N.) 6. Does the manufacturing facility have Environmental Clearance? □ Yes or □ No 7. Does the manufacturing facility have a signed Environmental Compliance Plan? □ Yes or □ No If yes, provide date of Environmental Compliance Plan: 216 Environmental Protection 8. For renewal applications, is the operation of the manufacturing facility compliant with the obligations set forth in the Environmental Clearance and Environmental Compliance Plan? □ Yes or □ No 9. Is the business compliant with all current importation and manufacturing reporting requirements? □ Yes or □ No 10. Provide name of product to be manufactured by the facility: 11. HS Code of product manufactured (if exported): 12. Description of product manufactured: 13. Type and composition of product manufactured: 14. Purpose/Use of product: 15. Is the restricted product listed in Schedule II? □ Yes or □ No If NO, please move to question 19. If YES, Please tick product to be manufactured: □ Plastic Carrier bags □ Styrofoam Clamshells □ Styrofoam Food Containers □ Styrofoam Soup Containers □ Styrofoam Plates □ Styrofoam Bowls Environmental Protection 217 □ Styrofoam Cups □ Styrofoam Lids □ Styrofoam Trays □ Plastic Plates □ Plastic Trays □ Plastic Containers □ Plastic Bowls □ Plastic Cups □ Plastic Food Containers □ Plastic Lids □ Single-use plastic cutlery and eating utensils (forks, knives, spoons, sporks, etc.) □ Single-use plastic disposable drinking straws □ None of the above □ Other, please state 16. Is the restricted product to be manufactured intended to be used as a barrier bag and plastic? □ Yes or □ No 17. Is the restricted product to be manufactured intended to be used for: (a) medical purposes? □ Yes or □ No (b) pharmaceutical purposes? □ Yes or □ No (c) barrier bag or plastic? □ Yes or □ No 18. If intended for use as barrier bags or plastics, please specify: (a) Intended sector for use: (b)Describe of distribution / point or sale: (c) State if you are the wholesaler, distributor, retailers, or end-user of product: (d) Please state intended end-user of product (if known): 19. State if the product is: □ Biodegradable □ Non-biodegradable □ Compostable □ Degradable If product is Non-Biodegradable, please move to question 26. 218 Environmental Protection 20. If the product is biodegradable, or compostable, or degradable, is the product: □ classified as commercially biodegradable plastic □ NOT classified as commercially biodegradable plastic 21. If product is commercially biodegradable plastic, specify type of plastic: □ bio-based plastic □ compostable plastic □ biodegradable plastic □ Environmentally degradable plastic 22 Is product compliant with minimum national standards? □ Yes or □ No □ Other 23. Does the product have third-party certification? □ Yes or □ No If yes, state year and certification information 24. If the product is classified as commercially biodegradable plastic, has the product undergone conformity assessment? □ Yes or □ No If yes, provide certification information and state: year conformity assessment was conducted: name of independent testing laboratory: certification issued: 25. Has the product been registered as per regulation 10? □ Yes or □ No If yes, provide the Product Registration Number Environmental Protection 219 26. If product to be imported is Non-Biodegradable, please specify: (a) intended sector for use: (b) describe of distribution / point of sale: (c) state name of distributor, retailers, or end-user of product: (d) please state intended end-user of product (if known): 27. Please check which documentation (if any) for the restricted product is being submitted along with completed application: □ Copy of Receipt of payment of non-refundable fee (mandatory) □ Material Safety Data Sheet / Safety Data Sheet □ Product Certification (if applicable) □ Third-Party Certification (if applicable) □ Conformity Assessment Documentation (if applicable) □ Notarized translation of documentation / certification – Original (if documents requires translation into English □ None of the above □ Other: State 28. Is all the above information and documentation provided in this application accurate and truthful? □ Yes or □ No For Official Use Only: To be filled in by Vetting Officer Is this a 1st time licence to manufacture product? □ Yes or □ No Is this a renewal licence to manufacture product? □ Yes or □ No Has the applicant paid the non-refundable fee? □ Yes or □ No Is the application complete? □ Yes or □ No Is the application accurate? □ Yes or □ No Is the applicant compliant with reporting requirements? □ Yes or □ No Is the applicant in compliance with Environmental Clearance and Environmental Compliance Plan? □ Yes or □ No Is the restricted product listed in Schedule II? □ Yes or □ No 220 Environmental Protection Is the restricted product intended for use as: Barrier bags and plastics □ Yes or □ No Medical purposes □ Yes or □ No Pharmaceutical purposes □ Yes or □ No Is the restricted product biodegradable, or compostable, or degradable? □ Yes or □ No or □ Not Applicable If biodegradable, or compostable, or degradable: Is it classified as commercially biodegradable plastic? □ Yes or □ No Does it meet all the requirements and/or standards? □ Yes or □ No Does it have acceptable 3rd party certification? □ Yes or □ No Has the product undergone a conformity assessment within the last 5 years? □ Yes or □ No or □ Not Applicable Notes: Recommend approval to grant permit to import: □ Yes or □ No If No, Provide Reasons: Note: *Provide any other documentation/information as may be required by the Chief Environmental Officer. *Pursuant to regulation 19, if the information provided in the application is false or misleading, the Chief Environmental Officer may refuse the grant of a licence to manufacture the restricted product. Environmental Protection 221 SCHEDULE VII [Regulation 17] ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (CAP. 328) MANUFACTURE RESTRICTED PRODUCT THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT HEREBY GRANTS A LICENCE TO: to manufacture restricted products pursuant to an application for manufacture dated the day of ,20 . Located at Type of restricted product for which this licence is being authorised: Type: Name of Product: Description of Product: Product Registration Number: Dates of issue: (day, month, year) Date of Expiration: 31st December (year of issue) Date: Signature: Chief Environmental Officer Department of the Environment This Licence is granted subject to the following conditions: 1. Is for one (1) time manufacturing facility only 2. Valid until 31st December of the year it was granted. 3. Is not transferrable. 4. Restricted product manufactured conform to national standards. 222 Environmental Protection 5. Manufacturing facility is compliant with Environmental Laws of Belize. 6. Licence is displayed in a conspicuous location in manufacturing facility. 7. Licensee submits quarterly reports, in format specified by the Department of the Environment, on products manufactured. 8. Production reports are submitted within 15 working days after end of each quarter. 9. Any other conditions stipulated by the Chief Environmental Officer. MADE by the Minister responsible for the environment, this 14th day of January, 2020. GODWIN HULSE Minister of Agriculture Fisheries, Forestry, Environment, Sustainable Development, and Immigration