NAIROBI, Kenya – The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has urged countries to adopt harmonised plastic labelling standards, warning that unclear and inconsistent labels are fuelling pollution, particularly in developing nations.
In a report released on August 19, titled “A review of parameters and requirements for an effective consumer label on plastics and plastic alternatives”, UNCTAD says transparent labelling can bridge the information gap between producers, policymakers and consumers, while also supporting global negotiations on plastic pollution.
“The analysis underscores the importance of harmonising labelling standards globally, facilitating better consumer understanding and enhancing international trade efficiency,” the report notes.
The agency recommends a shift away from potentially misleading symbols such as the chasing arrows, towards simple and visually striking designs that clearly communicate recyclability and disposal options.
It points to nutrition and energy labelling—such as the European Union’s energy efficiency ratings—as models that have proven effective across regions.
Countries like Chile and Colombia have successfully rolled out nutrition warning labels, while South Africa’s On-Pack Recycling Label shows how developing nations can adapt international frameworks to local realities.
However, UNCTAD stresses that effective labelling must be backed by strong regulatory frameworks, consumer education and broad stakeholder engagement.
Examples from Australia, Japan, South Korea and the European Union demonstrate how regulation and cooperation can sustain robust systems.
The call comes days after the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution in Geneva ended without agreement on a draft treaty text.
More than 2,600 participants, including 1,400 delegates from 183 countries, attended the tense talks.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen admitted the outcome was disappointing but insisted momentum remains.
“While we did not land the treaty text we hoped for, UNEP will continue the work against plastic pollution—pollution that is in our groundwater, in our soil, in our rivers, in our oceans and yes, in our bodies,” she said.
Kenya has been a front-runner in the war on plastics. In 2017, the country banned thin carrier bags, imposing penalties of up to Sh4 million or two years in jail for offenders.
Before the ban, supermarkets consumed an estimated 100 million non-biodegradable bags annually.
In 2022, Kenya enacted the Sustainable Waste Management Act, shifting policy toward a circular economy.
With treaty negotiations stalled, UNCTAD says harmonised plastic labelling is a practical, immediate step that can strengthen consumer action and link local policies with global sustainability goals.
