Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 25 November 2025: The SEA-MaP Regional Project held a Government Consultation for Development of the Best Practice Manual for Development of Minimum Standards and Technical Requirements for Plastic Packaging and Labeling via hybrid mode. The Manual aims to improve understanding and support the development of standards and labeling for more sustainable plastic packaging, and at moving towards harmonizing standards and mutual recognition for plastic packaging in the ASEAN region.

The Consultation, which saw the active engagement of participants who shared their views and technical inputs, highlighted among others:

1. Areas of the Manual which have incorporated feedback from AMS, which include the need for stronger management systems, enhanced compliance structures, labeling consistency, and improved alignment with international best practices.
2. Discussed the six recommended best practices presented in the Manual that are underpinned by (i) the relevant guiding principles, (ii) supported by key technical requirements, and (iii) illustrated by case studies. The sessions also delved into each of these key concepts and explained on how these key concepts are linked to one another, which have been clarified based on feedback received from previous circulation of the draft Manual. 
3. Introduced the draft dissemination and communication package developed to support AMS in communicating the Manual’s key messages to national stakeholders. 

Following the Consultation, inputs received will be incorporated to the draft Manual and the revised version will be circulated to the AMS for further consideration and subsequent endorsement.

The Consultation was organized by the SEA-MaP Regional project, facilitated by consulting firms FratiniVergano and adelphi, in close coordination with the Regional Implementation Support Unit (RISU) and the Project Management Unit (PMU) of SEA-MaP. The event was participated by representatives of the AMS, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the PMU and RISU.

The Workshop was held as a follow-up to the First Technical Consultation that was held on 21 May 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia and the Second Technical Consultation that was held on 13 August 2025 via video conference.

*****