European Commission Targets Microplastic Pollution with New Preventative Measures

In an unprecedented move, the European Commission is introducing measures designed to curtail microplastic pollution resulting from accidental plastic pellet spillage. Annually, an estimated 52 to 184 thousand tonnes of these pellets contaminate the environment due to improper handling across their supply chains. The proposed regulations mandate precautionary measures for entities managing pellets within the EU, potentially decreasing environmental pellet leaks by 74%.

Strategies to Mitigate Plastic Pellet Pollution

Plastic pellets rank highly among inadvertent sources of microplastic pollution. Under the new proposal, handlers are urged to prioritize spill prevention, containment measures, and, where necessary, cleanup procedures.

Key elements of the proposal include:

• Standardizing Operational Practices: Operators, subject to the scope of their facilities or transport activities, will adhere to optimal handling protocols, a strategy already embraced by industry leaders.
• Enforcement through Certification and Self-reporting: Compliance verification will involve obligatory certification from independent bodies for larger operators, while smaller entities will submit self-assessment declarations.
• Uniform Loss Assessment Methods: Standardization authorities will devise a unified procedure for quantifying pellet losses, enhancing environmental and health impact awareness and accountability.
• Scaled-down Obligations for Smaller Enterprises: Acknowledging the significant number of SMEs in the pellet supply chain, the proposal stipulates less stringent requirements for these operators, particularly micro and small-scale entities.

Progression Toward Legislative Ratification

The draft Regulation for the Prevention of Pellet Loss is slated for deliberation in the European Parliament and the Council. Compliance with the ratified regulation will be compulsory for all relevant operators, both within and outside the EU, following an 18-month enactment grace period.

In its ongoing commitment to mitigating microplastic pollution, the Commission will maintain its momentum in this arena, drawing on existing and emerging product and waste legislation, and spearheading international initiatives to eradicate plastic pollution.

Understanding the Microplastic Menace

Microplastics, notorious for their resilience and global dispersion, pose significant risks to human health and environmental integrity. They infiltrate ecosystems, diminishing biodiversity, and are ingested by various marine and terrestrial fauna, resulting in physiological damage or mortality.

Addressing microplastic proliferation is integral to the EU’s overarching environmental strategies, including the EU Plastics Strategy, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Zero Pollution Action Plan. The Commission’s multifaceted approach encompasses minimizing pollution from plastic products, limiting microplastics in goods, and curtailing unintentional releases.

The latest restrictions complement the EU’s objective of slashing environmental microplastic contamination by 30% come 2030, as stipulated in the Zero Pollution Action Plan.

Learn more: European Commission