Bio plastics, being a new class of polymers having influence on the waste disposal problems of polymers, have to depend upon international regulations and standards. These have a tremendous impact on the growth of bio plastics. The use of bio plastics in packaging depends upon the regulations & standards and their acceptance all over the World.
The European Union packaging and packaging waste directive (94/62/EC) was amended in January 2004 by directive 2004/12/EC to set new recovery and recycling targets for the next five-year phase (2005-2009). The revised directive introduces material-specific targets. European packaging waste recovery targets for the 2005-2009 are set at an overall recovery of 60% as a minimum by weight. Amongst the definitions of recovery are composting and degradability. Under the legislation, composting is described as 'organic recycling' and composted plastic packaging processed for the purpose of composting constitutes recoverable packaging. European Standard CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) 13432 is the defining standard for the compostability of plastics packaging.

Germany has approved an amendment to its Packaging Directive that may open up the market for biopolymers by exempting them from certain existing return and waste recovery requirements. The amendment, which was passed by the Upper House of the German Parliament, grants an exemption from key parts of the Directive for certified compostable packaging made from biodegradable polymers until 2012. The amendment is designed to encourage development of specific recovery schemes for bio plastics based on the underlying closed loop life cycle, such as composting networks.

Since it may be difficult for the specified business entities to recycle on their own, In Japan, a method has been created that allows the specified businesses to fulfill their obligations by paying a 'recycling fee' to the Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association (JCPRA), a government-designated organization.

US Government support that may help drive the development of bio plastics includes the federal biomass funding activities by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Energy under the Biomass Initiative, as well as the Farm Bill, Title 9. In 2002, the Federal Farm Bill (Farm Security and Rural Investment Act) incorporated the first ever Energy Title (Title 9). By specifically including renewable fuels and electricity, the energy title creates opportunity for development of bio based products. The energy title requires each federal agency to design a program to purchase as many bio based products as practical. The title also introduces a "USDA Certified Bio based Product" label.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) provide a means for the public to express themselves on issues relating to public policies. These have played a large role in promoting 'environmentally friendly' products and practices. NGOs frequently influence policies at both global and local levels by pressuring governments on environmental issues. Over the past ten years, consumers have supported NGOs demanding more 'environmentally friendly' packaging. With the growth of the environmental NGOs such as Greenpeace International, Friends of the Earth International and World Wide Fund, as well as the development of various media, NGOs are working collaboratively with companies to form policies to promote bio plastics.