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Brussels, 9th April 2025
As the clock struck midnight, after hours-long negotiations, the European Parliament, the Council and the
European Commission struck a late-night agreement on the long-awaited EU Regulation to prevent plastic
pellet losses to the environment, a major contributor to microplastic pollution. This decision comes in the
wake of yet another pellet spill disaster in European waters off the English coast following the collision of two
ships, starkly illustrating just how frequent pellet loss has become. Although the Rethink Plastic alliance
regrets broad exemptions for small plastic pellet handling entities and significant quantities for thresholds,
we welcome this ground-breaking regional approach to reducing this preventable source of pollution.
Positive steps welcomed, but delays and dilution may undermine impact
The deal preserves a clear ‘zero pellet loss’ objective and introduces a much-needed hierarchy of action:
prevention is the top priority, followed by spill containment and, as a last resort, clean-up of pellet spills and
losses. This, combined with mandatory measures to use appropriate packaging, equipment, training and
infrastructure, marks a significant improvement over existing voluntary initiatives and reflects growing
recognition that only proactive spill prevention can effectively reduce microplastic pollution.
The Regulation also follows a true supply chain approach, addressing spills and losses from all actors, EU and
non-EU carriers, across all stages, from production to conversion, transport, storage, cleaning and reprocessing.
Crucially, the maritime sector was included in the scope of the Regulation – a long-overdue inclusion following
a string of shipping disasters. By legally binding previously voluntary International Maritime Organization
(IMO) recommendations, the EU sets a powerful example for global leadership on pellet pollution at sea.
However, the corresponding additional year for a transition period is an excessive and unjustified delay, given
that many European vessels already follow these IMO recommendations.
The inclusion of mandatory independent audits for medium and large operators is a welcome step forward.
Companies handling over 1,500 tonnes of plastic pellets per year must obtain a certificate of conformity
issued by an accredited certifier. This introduces a much-needed, regular third-party check on compliance,
moving beyond poor, voluntary self-assessment and initiatives like Operation Clean Sweep. However, the
regulation failed to follow the official recommendation on the reduction of pellet loss that the OSPAR Regional
Sea Convention made in 2021, which stated that “the certification system should apply to organisations of all
sizes without exception” to ensure comprehensive prevention measures.
Importantly, the agreement lays a stronger foundation for transparency across the supply chain. Both EU and
non-EU carriers will now be subject to mandatory reporting on plastic pellet losses, introducing a baseline for
tracking compliance. While real-time reporting and independent verification are not yet required, the
Regulation includes enhanced obligations to report any losses resulting in adverse effects on human health
or the environment, alongside details on quantities lost, causes of loss and clean-up measures taken. Although
annual loss figures will still be based on operator estimates, these improvements mark a clear step forward
from earlier drafts.
Key safeguards eroded during negotiations
Despite this progress, the final agreement exempts the majority of small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) from independent oversight, even though SMEs make up the majority of the plastics supply chain,
accounting for 98% in conversion and 97% in transport and storage. Instead of applying a risk- or quantitybased approach, the regulation exempts operators managing fewer than 1,500 tonnes per year per installation
– a high threshold (75 billion pellets handled annually by a single facility).
More concerningly, even small companies managing over 1,500 tonnes per year will benefit from reduced
obligations, including a one-off certification to be completed five years after the regulation comes into effect.
This excludes significant numbers of industrial pellet handlers, risking widespread and unchecked
compliance. Without regular oversight, this approach undermines the regulation’s core objective of
comprehensive, supply chain-wide prevention.
With this regulation, the EU has taken a meaningful first step towards addressing pellet pollution. However, to
truly deliver on the promise of a future with zero pellet loss, implementation must be swift, loopholes must be
closed, and enforcement must be guaranteed. This regulation sets the foundation; now, it’s up to Member
States, industry and civil society to ensure it works in practice.
Quotes:
- “This agreement represents a tremendous show of EU leadership in the global fight against
microplastic pollution. The EU has recognised plastic pellets for what they are – a major source of
microplastic pollution and a serious environmental threat. Binding prevention rules, supply chain
obligations and maritime measures are major steps forward. However, loopholes, delays and arbitrary
exemptions and thresholds risk stunting its impact. Now is the time to back bold words with bold action
and ensure this law is delivered in practice.” Amy Youngman, Legal and Policy Specialist for the
Environmental Investigation Agency - “It is a huge relief to see EU decision-makers endorse a binding regulation with a broader scope to
fight both land- and sea-based sources of pellet microplastic pollution. The Commission got it right by
adopting a supply chain approach to ensure a uniform implementation of prevention and clean-up
measures. The inclusion of maritime transport was a welcome addition, likely driven by recent container
ship accidents, although with an unjustified 3 year delay. It is high time these binding rules replaced
existing voluntary guidelines to ensure pellets are treated by operators as the hazardous pollutant they
are, not just cargo”. Frédérique Mongodin, Senior Marine Litter Policy Officer with Seas At Risk. - “Yesterday’s agreement happened while the latest JRC report highlights a worrying reality: despite the
EU’s commitment to reduce microplastic pollution by 30% by 2030, emissions are actually increasing,
including in the Ocean. With microplastics detected in human blood and organs, there is no room for
half-measures. Applying lighter requirements to SMEs in the name of simplification could create a
loophole that exempts them from accountability. It would mean citizens and SMEs from other sectors
— as well as wastewater treatment operators — will continue to bear the costs of this pollution.” Lucie
Padovani, Marine Litter Lobbying Officer for Surfrider Foundation Europe.