Balearic Law 8/2019 and Hotel Amenities: What the Law Actually Says

Balearic Law 8/2019 on waste and contaminated soil (Ley 8/2019, de 19 de febrero, de residuos y suelos contaminados de las Illes Balears) has been in force since 2019. Its product restrictions took effect on 1 January 2021. (Official consolidated text: BOE)

It is often described as a ban on hotel miniatures. The text does not say that. This guide sets out what the law restricts, what that means for amenities, and where the miniature restriction actually comes from.

What Article 23 restricts

Article 23 covers single-use products. From 1 January 2021 it:

- requires a charge for plastic bags that are not lightweight, which must contain at least 50% recycled plastic, and stops shops distributing lightweight single-use plastic bags - bans the sale, distribution and use of single-use plastic plates, cutlery, cups, mugs and food trays, unless compostable - bans single-dose food products and single-use utensils in hospitality establishments for food and drink consumed on site, except cellulose consumables - allows only compostable drinking straws, cotton buds and lollipop sticks - requires single-use coffee and infusion capsules to be compostable or easily recyclable - sets disposal and labelling rules for wet wipes

Compostable here means certified to UNE-EN 13432.

What Article 24 restricts

From 1 January 2021, Article 24 bans the distribution and sale of products containing microplastics and nanoplastics, non-refillable printer cartridges and toners, and lighters that do not guarantee at least 3,000 ignitions.

For amenities, the microplastics ban is the part that matters most. Every product in a Balearic property should be checked for microplastic ingredients.

Toiletry miniatures

Neither article expressly lists shampoo, conditioner, shower gel or lotion miniatures. Article 23.4 says the Balearic Government will propose further restrictions on other single-use products to Parliament, so check the current consolidated text before relying on this.

The EU-wide restriction on single-use toiletry packaging in hotels comes from the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, not from Law 8/2019. Annex V restricts single-use packaging used in the accommodation sector for cosmetic, hygiene and toiletry products intended for an individual booking, under 50 ml for liquids or 100 g for non-liquids, from 1 January 2030. (Regulation (EU) 2025/40: EUR-Lex)

How Law 8/2019 compares to PPWR

Sanctions

The sanctions regime is in Articles 77 and 78. Article 78 sets fines of up to €9,000 for minor infractions and from €9,001 to €300,000 for serious infractions, with higher ranges for hazardous waste and contaminated soil. Read the official text for the full list of infractions.

What to check for your amenities

- Ingredient lists: no microplastics or nanoplastics in any product (Article 24). - Anything in the room that Article 23 names, such as plastic cups, cotton buds or single-use plastic tableware. - Packaging format against the PPWR timetable, including Annex V from 1 January 2030. - Cosmetic compliance under EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: CPNP notification, safety assessment and Product Information File for every product.

A custom programme typically takes 14 to 20 weeks from signed brief. Start your brief here.

FAQ

Does Law 8/2019 ban hotel shampoo miniatures? It does not expressly list them. Check the current consolidated text, as Article 23.4 allows for further restrictions.

When does the EU miniature restriction apply? PPWR Annex V restricts single-use toiletry packaging in accommodation from 1 January 2030.

Does Law 8/2019 affect cosmetic formulas? Yes. Article 24 bans the distribution and sale of products containing microplastics and nanoplastics in the Balearic Islands.

Where is the official text? On the BOE: Ley 8/2019, de 19 de febrero.

Download: PPWR Hotel Compliance Checklist 2026 — one-page audit and documentation reference, print-ready PDF.