The Georgian government has issued a decree regulating single-use plastic products that come into contact with food, set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Under the new technical regulations, the production (unless intended for export), import and market placement of certain single-use plastic items will be prohibited. This includes plastic forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, plates, straws, stirrers, expanded polystyrene food containers and cups and their lids.
The regulation also bans public catering establishments from serving ready-to-eat food using these single-use plastic items. The term ‘public catering’ covers restaurants, canteens, food service operations and mobile or stationary stalls, including vehicles where food is prepared or sold to end consumers. The ban does not apply to single-use plastic packaging intended for pre-packaged food.
The decree includes transitional periods: Plastic items already on the market before the regulation takes effect may remain available for three months; public catering establishments may use these items for six months after the regulation comes into force; other single-use plastic materials intended for food contact may remain on the market for up to one year.
Enforcement will be overseen by the National Food Agency, the Environmental Supervision Department and the Revenue Service, each within their competence.
For export purposes, manufacturers must notify the Environmental Supervision Department in writing one month prior to production, specifying production start and end dates, quantities, export destination and shipment schedule.
