With this adjustment, the ban is delayed by four years from the original timeline, with the aim of facilitating technological innovation and the industrial transition toward more sustainable solutions

The French government announced that it will postpone the entry into force of the total ban on the use of plastic in disposable cups, a measure that was scheduled to be implemented in the short term. The new provision delays the complete elimination of this material until 2030.

Through an official decree, the French government introduced substantial changes to a measure dating back to 2021 that included the ban on plastic in disposable cups. Thus, the new provision postpones the elimination of this material in single-use cups until 2030.

The regulation was signed by the Ministry for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature, together with the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry, Energy and Digital Sovereignty.

Reasons for the Postponement

According to the decree, the postponement is due to the conclusions of a technical review conducted in 2025, which assessed the feasibility of completely eliminating plastic from disposable cups. The analysis concluded that technical and market limitations still exist for implementing a total ban without affecting product availability and performance.

In addition, the government considered the results of a public consultation held between December 1 and 22, in which manufacturers, importers, and retailers of single-use products participated. During this process, industry stakeholders indicated the need for more time to develop and scale up alternative materials that effectively replace plastic.

With this adjustment, the ban is delayed by four years from the original timeline, with the aim of facilitating technological innovation and the industrial transition toward more sustainable solutions.

PS cups reduced infections during the pandemic by offering practical and safe solutions for daily consumption.

Changes to the regulatory timeline

It is worth noting that the 2021 regulations established a scheme for the progressive reduction of plastic content in disposable cups:

• Maximum of 15% plastic content starting in January 2022
• Reduction to 8% starting in January 2024
• Total elimination of plastic starting in January 2026

The new decree modifies this last point and sets the definitive ban for 2030. It also redefines the evaluation timeline for the measure: while the original regulation contemplated a review in 2024, it now establishes that the next technical review will take place in 2028.

Among other changes, the new measure includes an extension of the stock liquidation period, which goes from six to twelve months for cups manufactured or imported before the new deadlines, granting greater flexibility to manufacturers and distributors during the regulatory transition.