Balearic Law 8/2019 and Hotel Amenities: The Compliance Guide

Balearic Law 8/2019 on waste and contaminated soil is the strictest hotel amenity regulation in the EU. It predates Spain's national plastic framework. It predates the EU PPWR. And it is already in force.

If your property in Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, or Formentera is still placing single-use plastic miniature toiletries in guest rooms, you are not preparing for a future regulation. You are already non-compliant with a law that has been in force for six years.

Review your compliance situation with SOSOO Amenities.

What Law 8/2019 actually prohibits

Law 8/2019 (Ley 8/2019, de 19 de febrero, de residuos y suelos contaminados de les Illes Balears) specifically prohibits the supply, distribution, and use of single-use plastic items in the Balearic Islands. For hotel operators, the relevant items are:

- Single-use plastic amenity miniatures — shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, soap in individually sealed plastic containers - Plastic-stem cotton buds - Individually wrapped plastic toothbrushes and dental accessories in plastic packaging - Single-use plastic cups and cutlery in guest areas

The prohibition does not apply to certified compostable alternatives — but the certification requirement is specific. Biodegradable does not equal compostable under this law. The material must meet EN 13432 (industrial composting) or equivalent certification. Most products labelled "biodegradable" in the Spanish market do not meet this standard.

What formats are permitted

Three formats comply with Law 8/2019.

Refillable dispensing systems: wall-mounted or vessel-based formats filled from bulk supply. The container is not single-use. Most practical format for most properties, and PPWR-compatible.

Certified compostable single-use packaging: the material must carry EN 13432 certification. Available but expensive, and the formulation must also be suitable for certified compostable packaging. Most off-the-shelf sustainable amenity products do not clear this bar.

Permanent packaging formats: ceramic, glass, stone, or metal vessels that are part of the room's permanent bathroom hardware. The highest-investment option, and the one that produces the strongest guest experience. Also the format most easily aligned with the Circularity Plan requirement.

The format is not the only variable. The formulation inside must comply with EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — CPNP registration, full safety assessment, and ISO 11930 preservative efficacy testing.

How Law 8/2019 compares to PPWR

For Balearic hotels, PPWR is a secondary consideration. Law 8/2019 already requires full compliance. The PPWR August 2026 date adds packaging recyclability and documentation requirements on top — but the amenity format change should have happened five years ago.

The Circularity Plan requirement

Decree-Law 3/2022 requires qualifying Balearic tourism establishments to produce an annual Circularity Plan. The plan documents the percentage of locally sourced and zero-kilometre products in total procurement, waste reduction measures, and packaging recyclability rates.

Hotel amenities count toward the locally sourced percentage. A programme built around Mallorcan almond oil, Sóller citrus, or Balearic botanicals — rosemary, sea fennel, lavender — creates auditable local sourcing that contributes to the Circularity Plan while giving guests a product tied to the island.

The Circularity Plan must be verifiable on inspection. Properties that cannot demonstrate a credible local sourcing proportion are exposed.

What enforcement looks like

The Balearic Islands environmental authority has inspection powers under Law 8/2019. Sanctions range from administrative fines to operational restrictions. Enforcement has strengthened since 2022 as the regional government has invested in tourism sector compliance monitoring.

Properties with documented compliance — supplier declarations, formulation documentation, format specifications — are well-positioned in any inspection. Properties that cannot produce documentation are not.

Getting into compliance

Start with your current supplier. Request the CPNP notification number and safety assessment for each product in your bathrooms. If they cannot provide it within 24 hours, the products may not be legally compliant on the EU market.

Confirm your packaging format. Any bathroom product in a single-use plastic container does not comply with Law 8/2019. If you are still running miniatures, that is the first thing to address.

If your current supplier cannot support a compliant format with compliant formulations, brief a new programme now. A full custom programme takes 14 to 20 weeks from briefing. Start your brief here.

Then build your Circularity Plan documentation. An amenity supplier who can provide locally sourced ingredient provenance gives you audit-ready records for the annual plan.

FAQ

Is Law 8/2019 still being enforced? Yes. In force since 2019, and the enforcement environment has strengthened since 2022.

Do compostable miniatures satisfy Law 8/2019? If they carry EN 13432 certification, yes. Most products marketed as biodegradable or compostable in Spain do not meet this specific standard. Request the certification documentation before purchasing.

Does Law 8/2019 apply to all hotels in the Balearics? Yes — all operators supplying or using single-use plastic items in the islands, regardless of property size or category.

What happens if I am found non-compliant on inspection? The Balearic environmental authority can issue administrative fines and, in repeat cases, operational sanctions. A documented transition plan in progress is a mitigating factor.

How long does it take to become compliant? If your current supplier has compliant formulations and can switch to a dispensing format, the operational transition can happen quickly. If you need a new supplier or custom formulation, allow 14 to 20 weeks from briefing to first delivery.

Can I use the amenity programme to satisfy the Circularity Plan? Yes. A programme using Mallorcan or Mediterranean botanicals creates auditable local sourcing that contributes directly to the Circularity Plan percentage. Talk to SOSOO about building this into your programme.