According to the Público newspaper, the collection of the fee - which should have come into force on the 1st - is pending due to "procedural and operational" reasons.

Therefore, according to the general director of the Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies (APED), interviewed by the newspaper, the measure awaits "the writing of the order" so there is still no date for its start.

Gonçalo Lobo Xavier says that the order "should only be finalised during the month of January", and the fee should not start to be charged before next month.

The Ministries of Finance and Environment and Climate Action confirmed to Público, in a joint statement, that "preparation of the necessary regulations is underway, which is expected to be completed in the coming weeks".

Related article: Charges for plastic bags begin