The UAE has been steadily strengthening its regulatory framework around plastic packaging over the past several years, and 2026 brings further developments that manufacturers and brands need to understand. Staying ahead of these changes is not just a compliance obligation — it is increasingly a commercial necessity, as major retailers and procurement bodies in the region demand documented compliance from their supply chains.

Single-Use Plastics Restrictions

The UAE's phase-out of specified single-use plastic items has continued to expand in scope. Items now either prohibited or facing material restrictions include lightweight plastic bags below specified thickness thresholds, certain single-use food service items, and polystyrene food containers in designated zones. Manufacturers producing items that fall into these categories must either reformulate, switch materials, or exit those product lines.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

The UAE's EPR framework, which places obligations on producers and importers for the end-of-life management of their packaging, is progressing through implementation. Companies placing plastic packaging on the UAE market are increasingly required to register, report on packaging volumes, and contribute to collection and recycling infrastructure. Compliance timelines vary by company size and sector — checking your specific obligations with the relevant emirate-level authority is essential.

Food Contact Material Requirements

On the food safety side, the Gulf Standard GSO 2231 for food contact materials remains the primary applicable standard. In practice, this means:

• Raw material certificates must confirm food contact suitability
• Migration testing may be required for new materials or formulations
• Traceability records must be maintained and available for audit
• Labelling requirements for food contact items must be observed

Labelling and Recyclability Marking

There is growing pressure — from regulation and market expectations — to clearly mark plastic packaging with resin identification codes and recyclability information. While full mandatory marking requirements are still evolving, proactively labelling products correctly positions brands favourably with sustainability-conscious customers and retailers.

What This Means for Procurement

For buyers sourcing plastic packaging in the UAE, the practical implication is clear: work with manufacturers who can provide full documentation of material compliance, traceability, and certification. At Sarah Plastic, we maintain the documentation necessary to support our customers' compliance requirements and update our processes as regulatory requirements evolve.