Action on plastic pellets

European Council and Parliament agree on new rules to reduce microplastic pollution

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Published: April 13, 2025
This Article was written by: Katie Hill - My Green Pod
business, Europe, microplastics, plastic, plastic pollution, policy, waste

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The Council and the European Parliament have provisionally agreed on a regulation to prevent the loss of plastic pellets – the industrial raw materials used to make plastic products – into the environment.

The new rules will help improve the handling of plastic pellets at all stages of the supply chain, both on land and sea.

Campaigners have said that while this is no silver bullet, it’s a step in the right direction – and we now need to focus on stopping plastics production at source.

‘Microplastics, including plastic pellets, are now found everywhere — in our oceans, seas and even in the food we eat.

‘Each year, the equivalent of up to 7,300 truckloads of plastic pellets are lost to the environment.

‘The EU has taken a landmark step towards reducing pellet pollution by adopting measures to tackle losses and ensure correct handling, including in maritime transport.’

PAULINA HENNIG-KLOSKA
Polish Minister for Climate and Environment

Microplastic pollution

It is estimated that between 52,140 and 184,290 tonnes of pellets were lost into the environment in the EU in 2019.

Pellet losses can occur at various stages along the value chain. Currently, no EU rules specifically cover plastic pellet losses, despite their adverse impacts on the environment, the climate, the economy and potentially on human health.

Plastic pellets rank third among the largest sources of unintentional microplastic releases, after paints and tyres.

Preventing pellet losses

Under the new rules, prevention of plastic pellet losses would be the main objective for operators and EU and non-EU carriers.

A clear framework sets out obligations for cases of accidental losses focusing on clean-up operations.

A clear set of measures will be included in a risk management plan, prepared by each installation handling pellets.

Such measures would tackle, among others, packaging, loading and unloading, staff training and necessary equipment.

To provide for a level playing field between the EU and non-EU carriers and to ensure accountability and transparency for all carriers of plastic pellets, non-EU carriers will have to designate an authorised representative in the EU.

‘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. Plastic pellet pollution is the third-largest source of so-called unintentional microplastic pollution and the mandatory risk management plans expose what many companies have concealed for decades: preventable pollution disguised as ‘accidents’. But if we’re really going to see change, the focus has to be on stopping plastic at the source.

‘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.’

SIAN SUTHERLAND
Co-founder, A Plastic Planet & Plastic Health Council

Simplification & compliance

In line with the simplification goals for smaller companies and reflecting the Council’s approach, the provisional agreement attempts to balance a high level of environmental protection and requirements for companies adapted to their different size.

In this sense, operators that handle above 1,500 tonnes of plastic pellets annually will have to obtain a certificate issued by an independent third party.

Small companies also handling above 1,500 tonnes per year will benefit from lighter obligations, such as one-off certification to be done in five years after the entry into force.

Finally, companies handling less than 1,500 tonnes annually and microenterprises will only need to issue a self-declaration of conformity.

Maritime transport

The persistence of a plastic pellet in an aquatic environment can be measured over decades or more, since plastic pellets are not biodegradable. Moreover, maritime transport accounted for around 38% of all pellets transported in the EU in 2022.

Therefore, the co-legislators also agreed to set obligations for the transport of plastic pellets by sea (in freight containers), including ensuring good quality packaging and providing transport and cargo-related information, following the guidelines of the International Maritime Organisation.

Next steps

The provisional agreement will now have to be endorsed by the Council and the Parliament. It will then be formally adopted by both institutions, following a legal and linguistic review, and published in the Official Journal of the EU.

The regulation will become applicable two years after publication.

To facilitate compliance within the maritime sector, the co-legislators agreed to postpone the application of relevant rules by one year (compared to the rest of the rules set out in the regulation).