EU Council to fight microplastic pollution in the EU

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres. These tiny particles are created during the decomposition process of plastics as their structure breaks down, primarily due to ultraviolet rays from sunlight. They can be found everywhere, including our bodies, our drinking water, food, air, rain and soil. The first microplastics were examined in the 1970s, but became a major concern around the millennium. Research is currently underway to determine the effects of microplastic pollution on the human body, but researchers have expressed concern about the phenomenon.

Since plastic is critically important to the economy (from cosmetics to packaging materials to mineral water bottles), microplastic pollution is growing exponentially as global consumption grows. The Council of the European Union has set itself the goal of reducing or slowing down this pollution and has adopted a regulation to achieve these goals. Plastic pellets are in the focus of this regulation as these are the third largest microplastic sources after paints and tyres. The regulation aims to reduce the loss of plastic pellets by setting standards for handling and requiring companies to implement risk management plans. Specific clean-up obligations will also be imposed in case of plastic pellet loss.

Non-EU carriers will have to obtain third party certification to further be able to continue their work, whereas smaller companies will face only less strict compliance rules. Maritime transport rules will also be stricter as new measures will apply for the handling, packaging and transporting of microplastics.

Following the Council’s decision, the European Parliament votes on the regulation in October 2025. In case the regulation passes, then companies will have two years to prepare for the adoption of the new rules.