Guinea finalizes regulations for single-use plastic ban

The Guinean government has released specific implementation details for its ban on single-use plastic packaging and objects. A joint decree signed on September 10, 2026, establishes the regulatory framework for control, certification, and importation procedures ahead of the measure's effective date on September 21, 2026.

The ban targets various items, including disposable checkout bags, plastic sachets for water and beverages, straws, stirrers, disposable tableware, and expanded polystyrene cups and trays. It also prohibits the disposal of such waste in public spaces, drainage networks, and water bodies. Exceptions are permitted for specific needs in the medical, military, and agricultural sectors.

To ensure compliance, the government is implementing rigorous traceability measures. Importation and market placement now require certificates of conformity and destination attestations, monitored by customs and quality control authorities. The National Quality Control Office will manage a centralized registry of seizures and infractions. Local industrial units producing prohibited plastics must comply by September 20, 2026, with no further extensions permitted.