The European Commission has tabled a proposal for a regulation aimed at reducing microplastic pollution, with a focus on preventing losses of plastic pellets into the environment. The proposal, under inter-institutional dossier 2023/0373(COD), seeks to address the third most significant source of unintended release of microplastics.
Background to the proposed regulation
In 2018, the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy recognised the risks posed by microplastics and called for innovative solutions to their various sources. Then, in 2019, the Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors recognised the potential risks of microplastics and called for preventive measures.
In 2020, as a follow-up measure to the European Green Pact, the Commission committed, in the Circular Economy Action Plan 2.04, to combat the presence of microplastics in the environment through two tools:
- Restricting intentionally added plastics in products
- Combating the unintentional release of microplastics through, inter alia, standardisation, certification and regulatory measures, and harmonisation of methods for measuring such releases.
Later, in 2021, the Commission proposed, in its Action Plan ‘Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’, a target for the EU to reduce the discharge (intentional and unintentional) of microplastics into the environment by 30% by 2030.
On 25 September, the European Commission adopted a Regulation restricting microplastics intentionally added to products. This proposal on the prevention of losses of plastic pellets into the environment, together with the accompanying impact assessment, stems from the commitments made by the Commission on the unintentional release of microplastics.
This proposal for a new regulation follows the recent restriction on microplastics intentionally added to products adopted on 25 September 2023.
Reducing chippings losses by up to 74%.
Huge quantities of pellets are produced and handled every year, both globally and in the EU (in the EU, around 57 million tonnes in 2021). Estimates show that in 2019, between 52 and 184 tonnes of pellets were lost to the EU environment, representing between 2 100 and 7 300 truckloads of pellets per year.
Plastic pellets, used as an industrial raw material, are lost at various stages of the supply chain, contributing to pollution in the environment. The proposal aims to reduce these losses by 54-74%, thus contributing to the Commission’s target of a 30% reduction in the total discharge of microplastics by 2030.
Objective: prevention of avoidable granule loss
The explanatory memorandum highlights the environmental, climate, human health and economic risks associated with pellet losses. Furthermore, it underlines the mobility of pellets, which are easily dispersed through the air, surface waters and marine currents.
The Commission proposes that operators should act in the following order of priority: prevention to avoid granule spills; containment of spilled granules to ensure that they do not pollute the environment; and, as a final option, clean-up after a spill or spillage. Thus, the proposal includes the following:
- Better handling practices for operators, as improper handling is the main cause of pellet losses.
- Mandatory certification and self-declarations
- EU-wide standardised methodology for a high level of environmental protection
- Less stringent requirements for SMEs
Agenda 2030
The proposal builds on the Plastics Strategy, the Circular Economy Action Plan and the Zero Pollution Action Plan. It thus supports the objectives of the European Green Pact. It is also aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Next steps
As of December 2023, this proposal is at the first reading stage in the European Parliament. If it makes progress, it will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will be applicable 18 months after its entry into force.
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