Effective from January 1, 2027! New national standard for biodegradable plastic shopping bags

On December 2nd, the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China) approved and released a batch of important national standards. Among them, the newly revised GB/T 38082-2025 "Biodegradable Plastic Shopping Bags" will come into effect on January 1, 2027, completely replacing GB/T 38082-2019 "Biodegradable Plastic Shopping Bags".

Main drafting units: Guangdong Chongxi Environmental Protection Technology Co., LTD., Anhui Huachi Environmental Protection Technology Co., LTD., Chongqing Lianfa Plastic Technology Co., LTD., Ningbo Jialian Technology Co., LTD., Element Huitong New Materials (Yangzhou) Co., LTD., Beijing Technology and Business University, Shenzhen Zhengwang Environmental Protection New Materials Co., LTD., Zhejiang Huafa Ecological Technology Co., LTD Huizhou Jun 'er Plastic Technology Co., LTD., Wuhan Fancheng New Materials Co., LTD., Henan Longdu Tianren Biomaterials Co., LTD., Zhuhai Yikede Environmental Protection New Materials Co., LTD., Shanghai Dajue Packaging Products Co., LTD., Jinguan (Longhai) Plastic Packaging Co., LTD., Shenzhen Wanda Jie Environmental Protection New Materials Co., LTD Anhui Yingke New Materials Co., LTD., Anhui Fengyuan Biotechnology Co., LTD., Hefei Hengxin Life Technology Co., LTD., Donghua Engineering Technology Co., LTD., Fuling Technology Co., LTD., Beijing Weigou Workshop Biotechnology Co., LTD., Shenzhen Hongcai New Materials Technology Co., LTD., Jiangxi Xuanpin New Materials Co., LTD Huitong Beigong Biotechnology (Beijing) Co., LTD., Tongcheng Chemical (China) Co., LTD., Yangzhou Huitong Technology Co., LTD., Sinochem Donghua Tianye New Materials Co., LTD., Zhuhai Jinfat Biomaterials Co., LTD., Jinhui Zhaolong High-Tech Co., LTD., Xinjiang Lanshan Tunhe Technology Co., LTD Shandong Ruian Biotechnology Co., LTD., Shandong Daon Degradable Materials Co., LTD., Shanghai Juyou Chemical Co., LTD., Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Co., LTD., Huafeng Group Co., LTD., Hubei Yihua Degradable New Materials Co., LTD., Wanhua Chemical Group Co., LTD., Sinopec (Dalian) Research Institute of Petroleum Processing Co., LTD., Sichuan University Light Industry Plastic Processing and Application Research Institute.

GB/T 38082-2025 "Biodegradable Plastic Shopping Bags" stipulates the terms and definitions, requirements, test methods, inspection rules, as well as packaging, transportation and storage of biodegradable plastic shopping bags.

Compared with GB/T 38082-2019, the main technical changes are as follows:

• Updated normative references;

• Updated the term "biodegradable plastic shopping bags";

The test method for the average thickness of embossed biodegradable plastic shopping bags has been revised;

The test methods for width and length deviations have been revised;

• The lifting test method has been revised;

• The drop test method has been revised;

• The sealing strength test method has been revised;

• Added sampling requirements for biodegradable plastic shopping bags;

The storage shelf life requirements have been revised.

This standard is applicable to films produced mainly from biodegradable plastic resins, plastic shopping bags processed through bag-making techniques such as heat sealing or bonding, and also to shopping bags made by combining biodegradable plastics with other materials. This standard does not apply to biodegradable plastic bags that are only used for packaging and not for carrying purposes, such as biodegradable roll bags (also known as tear bags or broken bags), etc.

This standard specifies physical performance in use, marking, and biodegradability, etc. In addition to stipulating the technical requirements for physical performance and printing of shopping bags, it also emphasizes the aim of increasing the multiple reuses of shopping bags, minimizing their usage, conserving resources, protecting the environment, and achieving comprehensive utilization of resources. In addition, under the condition of reasonable classification and collection of domestic waste, most shopping bags should be properly disposed of. Biodegradable plastic shopping bags can be combined with biochemical treatments such as composting of urban organic domestic waste. However, the usage scenarios of shopping bags are complex, and it is difficult to avoid the leakage into the environment when they are discarded. If the shopping bags are biodegradable in the natural environment, even if they are leaked