The purpose of the contribution is to examine the legal scope of the Directive 2015/720 as regards reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags with a particular focus on the question whether the directive is in conformity with the free movement of goods. Given the broad discretion of the Member States as to the nature of the measures to be taken this question is to be answered in the affirmative, which may, however, at the same time raise doubts about the effectiveness of the provisions.