Home / Environment / EU Tackles Microplastic Tide from Plastic Pellets
EU Tackles Microplastic Tide from Plastic Pellets
3 Dec
Summary
- New EU rules mandate stricter handling of plastic pellets.
- Stricter rules target microplastic pollution from raw materials.
- Companies face new compliance and handling requirements.
New European Union regulations have been finalized to significantly curb microplastic pollution stemming from plastic pellets, a fundamental component in packaging production. These comprehensive rules, published on November 26, 2025, and entering force on December 16, 2025, impose rigorous standards for the handling and transportation of these raw materials. Businesses will have until December 2027 to fully implement most of the new obligations.
The regulation addresses the substantial environmental risk posed by lost plastic pellets, which are a primary source of microplastic contamination in waterways and soil. To mitigate this, companies handling pellets must now develop robust risk-management plans. These plans encompass improved packaging practices, enhanced handling systems, mandatory staff training, and detailed emergency clean-up procedures. Firms managing over 1,500 tonnes annually will require external certification, while smaller entities can opt for self-declarations.
Maritime transport faces particularly stringent provisions, including advanced packaging standards and documentation to prevent at-sea spills, fully effective by December 2028. This directive signifies a proactive step by the EU to protect its environment by addressing pollution at its source, potentially setting a global precedent for microplastic management and influencing supply chains worldwide.
