EU: Public consultation on microplastics pollution – measures to reduce its impact on the environment

 

The EU has launched a public consultation regarding a regulatory initiative to tackle microplastics unintentionally released into the environment. The consultation focuses on labelling, standardisation, certification and regulatory measures for the main sources of these plastics.

This initiative addresses unintentionally released microplastics. It will be developed in coordination with other new and ongoing initiatives, notably:

• the review of the Industrial Emissions, Urban Waste Water Treatment and Marine Strategy Framework Directives, and revision of lists of pollutants affecting surface and ground waters;
• the evaluation of the Sewage Sludge Directive as to the presence of microplastics in sludge and its subsequent use on agriculture fields;
• the development of the EU strategy for sustainable textiles design and manufacturing;
• the development of the Sustainable Product Initiative. Intentionally added microplastics are addressed in a separate initiative (as a Commission Regulation amending the REACH Regulation, based on an opinion by ECHA) proposing restrictions on intentionally added microplastics. Microplastics resulting from the fragmentation of macroplastics are addressed by existing EU policy and legislation and are outside of the scope of this initiative.

The initiative aims to correct the following market and regulatory failures, and highlight relevant knowledge gaps:

• Absence of market incentives for operators to take measures to reduce unintentional microplastics releases in the environment.
• Absence of EU comprehensive approach to unintentionally released microplastics, even if specific legislation with partial objectives in relation to microplastics exists (Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Fertilising Products Regulation, Drinking Water Directive).
• Knowledge gaps.
• Incomplete information reducing ability to choose sustainable products and handle them sustainably
• Market fragmentation

The initiative aims to reduce unintentional microplastics releases into the environment, lowering environmental pollution and potential risks to human health. It addresses the largest microplastics contributors in the current European context (nearly 2/3 of total emissions), i.e.:

• tyre abrasion,
• pre-production plastic pellets during their entire life-cycle and
• synthetic textiles during their entire life cycle

For example, for tyres, measures under consideration could be:

• Ecodesign requirements including new materials and the development of a standard on tyre abrasion
• Exploring the potential of retreated tyres
• Exploring links with vehicle type, vehicle maintenance, road characteristics and driver behaviour including the influence of autonomous driving systems on microplastics emissions
• Increasing capture of microplastics including via green infrastructure

The public consultation is open till the 17 May 2022 and can be accessed HERE.