The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the Federal Government and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to suspend the proposed ban on single-use plastic products below 80 microns in thickness pending a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA).
In a statement signed by its Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, MAN expressed concern over the proposed National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations 2026, warning that the policy could disrupt industrial production, threaten investments, lead to job losses, and increase costs for manufacturers and consumers.
The Association acknowledged the need to address environmental pollution and promote sustainable waste management but argued that the proposed regulations are premature and lack sufficient empirical evidence to justify their implementation.
MAN noted that the Federal Government had already developed a Plastic Circularity Roadmap in 2024 through the National Plastic Action Partnership (NNPAP) and the Federal Ministry of Environment, outlining measures such as improved waste collection, recycling infrastructure, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and public awareness campaigns. According to the Association, many of the roadmap’s recommendations have yet to be fully implemented.
The Association questioned the rationale for introducing new restrictions without first evaluating the effectiveness of existing measures and previous bans on plastic products. It stressed that public policy should be based on evidence, measurable outcomes, and broad stakeholder engagement.
Citing experiences from countries including Kenya, Bangladesh, South Africa, and India, MAN said bans on thin plastic products have often produced limited environmental benefits while causing factory closures, job losses, and increased dependence on imports. It contrasted this with countries such as Germany, South Korea, and the Netherlands, where high recycling rates have been achieved through robust recycling systems and EPR frameworks rather than outright bans.
MAN warned that Nigeria’s plastic manufacturing industry, which supports hundreds of factories and thousands of jobs across multiple sectors, could face severe disruptions if the regulations are implemented. The Association said compliance with the proposed 80-micron threshold would require costly changes to machinery and production processes, potentially rendering existing investments obsolete and raising production costs.
It added that higher production costs would likely be transferred to consumers, small businesses, market traders, and food vendors who depend on affordable packaging materials.
The Association also expressed concern that the policy could undermine government efforts to promote industrialisation, import substitution, and job creation by increasing reliance on imported alternatives.
MAN called on NESREA and the Federal Government to suspend implementation of the proposed ban, conduct an independent assessment of its environmental and economic implications, evaluate the outcomes of previous plastic restrictions, fully implement the NNPAP Plastic Circularity Roadmap, and strengthen investments in recycling and waste collection infrastructure.
The Association maintained that plastic pollution is primarily a waste management challenge that should be addressed through improved collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal systems rather than blanket restrictions on production.
It reiterated its commitment to working with government and other stakeholders to develop practical and sustainable solutions that balance environmental protection with economic growth and industrial development
