EU moves to tighten rules on plastic pellets pollution

The EU has new legislation that is ready to reduce plastic pollution in the environment. For example, companies that produce or transport small plastic pellets will face stricter regulations.

The rules will apply to all companies that handle more than five tons of plastic pellets annually within the EU. They will also cover companies using road, rail, or inland waterways and ship operators entering or leaving EU ports. The regulations still need to be ratified by member states and parliament. Two years later, they will enter into force.

184,000 tons of pellets are lost annually

Micro pellets, or very small plastic granules, are the raw material for just about all plastic products. However, both in production and transport, pellets up to five mm in size—also called ‘mermaid tears’—are often spilled. These pellets, which are not biodegradable, often unintentionally end up in the environment and pollute seas and oceans.

It is estimated that up to 184,000 tons of pellets are lost annually in the EU, and such spills are the third largest source of unintentional microplastic pollution in the bloc’s environment.

Smaller companies do not need a certificate

European companies will now have to conduct a risk analysis and develop procedures to prevent, avoid, and clean up unintentional spills. This will apply throughout the value chain, from production to packaging, loading, and unloading, both on land and at sea.

In case of accidental loss, emergency services must be notified immediately, and all necessary steps must be taken to minimize environmental damage.

Companies that process more than 1,500 tons per year must regularly prove compliance through a certificate issued by an independent body. Smaller companies are given more respite and can obtain a one-time certificate up to five years after the rules come into force.

For companies processing less than 1,500 tons, a self-declaration will suffice. This rule was put in place partly to ease the administrative burden on companies, although environmental organizations lament that this discretionary exemption for small companies risks reducing the law’s impact.

Rules also apply to maritime transport

Some also point out that for the first time, binding rules will apply to maritime transport, which carries some 38% of all plastic pellets in the EU.

“Simple measures, like storing a container below deck, can mean big gains,” says MEP Liesbeth Sommen (CD&V), who helped negotiate the agreement in which Cyprus, Malta, Croatia, and Greece, in particular, were very reluctant to have maritime transport integrated into the regulation.

“With this, we reduce the chance that containers with plastic granules will end up in our sea and on our beaches. This way, we can protect nature without unnecessarily burdening the industry.”