Nepal Bans Plastic Neck Seals on Water Bottles to Curb Pollution

Kathmandu. The government has implemented new regulations to ensure the quality of drinking water (bottles and jars) available in the market and to reduce environmental pollution. The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has issued a notice imposing a complete ban on the additional plastic 'neck-seal' used on water bottle caps.

This new arrangement has been implemented following a joint meeting decision between representatives of the Department of Commerce, the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, the Department of Environment, and the Nepal Bottled Water Industries Association.

Furthermore, it will no longer be permitted to place an additional plastic 'neck-seal' or external plastic layer over the bottle cap once it is sealed. Instead, manufacturers must mandatorily 'emboss', screen print, or laser print their identification directly onto the bottle cap. Manufacturers have been given a 35-day deadline to fully implement this provision.

It is also mentioned that drinking water jars must now mandatorily feature labeling through embossing or screen printing. Provisions have been made to ensure that the license number obtained from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, along with the manufacturing company's name, address, or logo, is clearly visible on the jars.

For newly produced jars, this provision will be effective immediately, while existing manufacturers have been granted a 60-day period to fully implement these requirements.

A joint team from the Department of Commerce, the Department of Environment, and the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control will be mobilized to monitor compliance with the new rules. The department stated that this step has been taken with the objective of reducing environmental pollution and ensuring quality water for consumers.

The notice mentions that the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control will soon issue further detailed technical standards regarding this matter.