The Product Eco-responsibility (Plastic Shopping Bags) Regulation, providing the implementation details of the environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags, was submitted to the Legislative Council today for vetting.

It involves operational matters like registration of retailers, exemption for certain areas within a registered retail outlet, submission of returns and payments of levies, and record keeping.

The Environmental Protection Department aims to implement the scheme in mid-2009. With LegCo approval there will be a three-month registration period before its launch enabling retailers to prepare.

Noting the scheme addresses the indiscriminate use of plastic shopping bags through a direct economic disincentive and has had general public support, the department said the implementation details have been formulated in consultation with the retail trade.