The Ministry of Industry and Trade stressed the importance of manufacturers, importers and traders adhering to the provisions of Resolution No. (7) of 2026 prohibiting the manufacture, import or circulation of single-use plastic bags with a thickness of less than 57 microns, and taking advantage of the remaining period to complete the necessary procedures before its entry into force as of August 20, 2026, including discharging non-compliant stock, stopping its production or import, and working to provide permitted alternatives, in a way that ensures the readiness of the commercial sector to fully comply with the decision and avoid… Administrative violations.
In this regard, Sheikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, indicated that the Ministry is continuing to implement the decision in accordance with the approved legal and regulatory frameworks, and in coordination with the Supreme Council for the Environment, within the framework of supporting national efforts aimed at protecting the environment and achieving sustainable development goals, and in line with the principles of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and its objectives by reducing environmental pollution and enhancing recycling opportunities.
He stated that the decision excludes bags designated for collecting household waste (garbage), hazardous health care waste, packaging bags pre-packed with food, and bags manufactured for export, while allowing the use of plastic shopping bags with a thickness of 57 microns or more, due to their durability that allows them to be reused, in addition to encouraging the use of environmentally friendly alternatives, such as cloth bags, paper bags, and completely biodegradable bags.
The Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade added that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has completed the first phase of educating the commercial sector about the provisions of the decision, and is currently implementing the second phase, which focuses on enhancing the awareness of manufacturers, importers, traders, and consumers of the requirements of the decision and the importance of completing the necessary preparations before its implementation begins.
