By The Star Staff
The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals accepted the request of the Puerto Rico Restaurants Association (ASORE by its acronym in Spanish) to halt the ban on the sale of single-use plastics temporarily.
ASORE asked the middle court to stop the Official Interpretation 2024-01 of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO) and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) of Regulation 9570 on single-use plastics. The court gave DACO and the DNER 30 days to present their arguments in favor of the ban.
“This resolution of the Court of Appeals is a significant step toward a more considered and fair implementation of the law,” ASORE President Carlos Budet said. “It reaffirms our position that the clarity and viability of the regulation are essential to avoid harming the operation and sustainability of the businesses we represent.”
ASORE’s decision to resort to the judicial forum comes after numerous attempts by the association to discuss and clarify significant issues with DACO and the DRNA, Budet said.
“Despite our numerous conversations and consultations, we are faced with a hasty implementation that does not consider the operational reality of restaurants and commercial establishments,” he said. “Our efforts to clarify these issues have not resulted in the modifications necessary for a fair and viable implementation.”
According to ASORE, the review appeal filed is a call to comply with the legal procedure to amend the regulation and thus ensure that it fulfills its purpose without harming the restaurant sector.
“Our commitment to environmental regulations is firm, but it is essential that the government is also prepared and has provided clear and applicable guidance,” Budet said.
ASORE is fully willing to collaborate with the authorities to develop a fair, effective and equitable regulation, thus ensuring the protection of the interests of the environment, the consumer, and the industry, he added.
“We hope that this legal action will encourage all parties to review and improve the regulation so that it truly fulfills its purpose without negatively affecting this industry that contributes so much to the country’s economy,” Budet said.
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