The European Union has approved new regulations requiring companies to prevent plastic pellet leaks, a key source of microplastic pollution affecting ecosystems and potentially human health.
Isabel Marques da Silva reports for Euronews.
In short:
- The EU’s new rules will impose certification and compliance obligations on companies storing or transporting plastic pellets, with requirements scaled by company size.
- Non-EU companies operating in the EU must designate representatives to ensure adherence to the standards, with enforcement including fines and potential criminal charges.
- Environmental groups criticize exemptions and delayed compliance timelines, particularly for small businesses and maritime transport sectors.
Why this matters:
Microplastics have emerged as a persistent pollutant infiltrating nearly every corner of the environment — from farm soil to remote ocean depths. Their minute size allows them to pass through filtration systems and into the food chain, where they have been found in fish, shellfish, drinking water, and even human blood and lung tissue. The widespread dispersal of plastic pellets—the raw material for many plastic goods—further fuels this crisis. Accidental pellet spills during transport and storage contribute significantly to the microplastic burden in waterways and soil. Regulating this part of the plastics supply chain could help reduce new microplastic inputs, though enforcement and global cooperation remain challenges.
Read more: EU agrees on new rules to stem plastic pellet pollution, but enforcement gaps remain
