EU Sets New Regulations to Combat Microplastic Pollution Across Supply Chains

In a decisive move to tackle one of the lesser-known but highly pervasive sources of plastic pollution, the European Council and Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on new rules aimed at reducing microplastic contamination on land and in marine ecosystems. The focus? A granular but crucial element of the plastic supply chain is plastic pellets, the raw material for countless plastic products.

These tiny polymer beads may seem innocuous initially, yet they represent a silent environmental hazard. Every year, 7,300 truckloads of these pellets are inadvertently released into the environment, finding their way into waterways, coastlines, soils, and even the food chain. In 2019 alone, the EU saw an estimated 52,000 to 185,000 tonnes of pellet loss—a staggering figure with far-reaching ecological consequences.

The newly proposed rules mark a sweeping overhaul of how plastic pellets are handled across the supply chain. From manufacturers and packaging facilities to freight carriers and port operators, all stakeholders must adopt stricter due diligence practices—regardless of whether they operate within or outside the EU.

At the heart of the legislation lies a core objective: significantly curtail pellet loss at every touchpoint. Companies will now face obligations not only to prevent spillage but also to clean up any losses that do occur. Central to compliance will be risk management plans mandated for all installations handling pellets. These plans must spell out exact procedures for packaging, loading, staff training, and other logistical details—a comprehensive effort to standardise safeguards across the board. But the rules don’t stop there.

The regulation introduces a tiered compliance structure.

• Operators handling more than 1,500 tonnes of plastic pellets annually will be subject to the most stringent oversight, including obtaining an independent third-party certification.

• Smaller operators face a lighter burden: a one-time certification within five years of the rules coming into force.

• Companies below the 1,500-tonne threshold will need to file a self-declaration of conformity rather than undergo the full audit process.

This differentiated approach balances environmental urgency with economic practicality—particularly for smaller businesses that may lack the resources for full-scale compliance initiatives.

Given the immense volume of plastic pellets moved by ships, the legislation tackles maritime transport head-on. Operators must now use robust packaging and comply with disclosure norms aligned with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). These rules address everything from cargo labelling to loss prevention and reporting, tightening a supply chain segment that has long operated under vague standards.

Interestingly, the application of maritime-specific requirements has been deferred by an additional year to allow for industry adaptation—underscoring the EU’s awareness of the logistical complexities involved.

Before the new rules can take full effect, the European Council and Parliament must formally endorse the agreement. Once published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the regulation will enter into force two years later, setting the clock for companies to align their operations with this transformative framework.

Sian Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet & Plastic Health Council, said: “While this new legislation isn’t a silver bullet for the plastic crisis, it’s another step forward and reinforces the EU’s leadership on plastic regulation globally.

“We need global standards like these that begin to reflect the urgency of the plastic pollution crisis. This kind of regulation, whilst one small piece of the puzzle, helps set a precedent. If we’re serious about protecting our waters and ecosystems and ultimately human health, measures like this must be part of a broader international push, with prevention, not just cleanup, as the priority.”

Falco Martin, programme officer for marine plastics at Fauna & Flora, stated: “Fauna & Flora has long advocated for a supply chain approach to eliminate pellet loss, so we are pleased to see the EU provisionally adopting binding rules to tackle this preventable source of pollution. Key highlights of the regulation include mandatory spill prevention and containment measures, obligations for maritime transport, and third-party audits for large operators.

“However, the regulation also includes exemptions and lighter requirements for SMEs, as well as delayed implementation timelines. These gaps may compromise the ambition of achieving zero pellet loss.

“Despite these shortcomings, this legislation marks a crucial step towards stronger environmental protection from plastic pellet spillages and sets a unique precedent that can catalyse global efforts to tackle this entirely preventable pollution. Rapid implementation, addressing the current loopholes, and effective enforcement will be essential to ensure the regulation’s success and achieve zero pellet loss.”