Research and analysis

RPC opinion: The Environmental Protection (Plastic Straws, Cotton Buds and Stirrers) (England) Regulations 2020, post implementation review

The RPC's opinion of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' review of the regulatory measures in the legislation.

• From: Regulatory Policy Committee
• Published: 1 October 2025

Documents

RPC opinion: The Environmental Protection (Plastic Straws, Cotton Buds and Stirrers) (England) Regulations 2020, post implementation review

PDF, 167 KB, 7 pages

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Details

The Environmental Protection (Plastic Straws, Cotton Buds and Stirrers) (England) Regulations 2020 restrict the supply of single use plastic items to reduce environmental harm.

The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) gave a ‘green’ rating to the post implementation review of the regulations on 22 August 2025. This means that we considered the review to be fit for purpose based on our scrutiny of the evidence and analysis presented.

The RPC’s opinion refers to the evidence and analysis presented in the review, not the policy itself.

Published 1 October 2025