Overview
- An order published in the Official Journal on December 30 pushes back the prohibition that was set to start on January 1, 2026.
- The decree cites technical feasibility concerns identified in a 2025 assessment and schedules a new checkpoint in 2028.
- After January 1, 2030, only cups without plastic, or with plastic at trace levels, may be used, subject to possible revision based on the 2028 review.
- Retailers will have 12 months after the 2030 start date to sell existing stock, doubling the previous six‑month sell‑through window.
- Manufacturers say non‑plastic alternatives are not yet scalable and rely on plastic linings for waterproofing and sealing, while environmental groups urge mandatory reusable options modeled on policies in Sweden and Germany.