The ISO Policy brief – Combatting plastic pollution with International Standards highlights how International Standards and National Standards Bodies (NSBs) can support the design and implementation of public policies in response to the plastic pollution crisis.

This document is the first in the series of thematic ISO policy briefs that aim to help NSBs prepare for their engagement with policymakers and regulators, particularly those outside their line ministry. It should be read alongside both the ISO Toolkit and the ISO Policy Brief: A primer on public policy – Maximizing your NSBs engagement with policymakers.

This brief offers a global perspective on plastic pollution as a policy priority and provides an overview of how governments are addressing this issue at the international, regional and national levels. It outlines the role of International Standards and NSBs in supporting policy responses related to recycling, waste management and ecolabelling, highlighting key standards and real-life examples of how standards have been incorporated into national policies. It concludes with recommendations and actionable ways to stay abreast of ISO’s technical work.