China Southern Group Takes the Lead in Drafting the First Group Standard for Plastic Restriction in China’s Civil Aviation Industry

March 28,2024-On March 25, China Air Transport Association (CATA) officially released the Standard for Substitution of Disposable Non-degradable Plastic Products on Passenger Flights Departing from Chinese Mainland (T/CATAGS 78-2024), which is the first group standard for plastic restriction in China’s civil aviation industry. China Southern Group had taken the lead in its drafting.

In May 2021, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued the Work Plan for Plastic Pollution Control in Civil Aviation Industry (2021-2025), which required that from 2022 onwards, disposable non-degradable plastic straws, stir sticks, tableware and packaging bags should not be provided on domestic (including regional) passenger flights, and the scope of implementation would be extended to international passenger flights from 2023. Combining relevant laws and regulations, food safety standards and operation safety standards with practical experience, airlines have made successful exploration in plastic pollution control for China’s civil aviation.

In order to consolidate the achievements of plastic pollution control in civil aviation and summarize and share advanced experience, China Southern Group took the lead in setting up a working group together with CATA, AirChina Group and China Eastern Airlines to draw up the Standard for Substitution of Disposable Non-degradable Plastic Products on Passenger Flights Departing from Chinese Mainland. After multiple discussions and revisions, the standard passed the review of experts from civil aviation industry and degradable plastics industry in January 2024. According to the experts, the Standard upholds the principle of "replace as much as possible", reflecting the document is written in a scientific way. Meanwhile, the Standard adopts the most advanced biodegradable plastic standard for degradable plastic materials in accordance with relevant requirements of the National Development and Reform Commission and CAAC, manifesting the philosophy of harmonious co-existence between man and nature. In addition, a list and category description are made for the substitution of disposable non-degradable plastic products involved in various application scenarios, and specific requirements are also put forward to facilitate airlines supervision and inspection and help further promote the Standard.