News & InsightsNewsletterLegislation Hub

Foresight

Foresight
AboutContactBook DemoLog in
Start free trial
Foresight logo
All News & Insights

EU Council Adopts Position on Reducing Plastic Pellet Losses to Combat Microplastic Pollution

General
16
January 2025
•
400
Dr Steven Brennan
The EU Council adopts its position to prevent plastic pellet losses, reducing microplastic pollution by up to 74%.
Shipping yard with containers
Quick prompts

AI Generated

Get to the point quicker with prompts - a smarter way to get the information you need from our articles.

Summarise this article

The EU Council has adopted its position on a proposed regulation to prevent plastic pellet losses, a significant source of microplastic pollution. The measures, which include stringent handling practices, maritime transport obligations, and mandatory certifications, aim to reduce pellet losses by 74%. The Council’s stance now heads to negotiations with the European Parliament in 2025.

How will the proposed regulation impact maritime transport of plastic pellets?

The proposed regulation places significant responsibilities on maritime transport operators to prevent plastic pellet losses. Key measures include ensuring high-quality packaging to withstand transit conditions, providing detailed cargo documentation, and securing containers to minimise risks during transport. Freight containers must be stowed underdeck or in sheltered areas of exposed decks wherever practicable. Furthermore, non-EU carriers will be required to appoint authorised representatives within the EU, ensuring compliance and accountability. These provisions aim to address the 38% of pellet movements conducted via maritime transport in 2022, a major contributor to losses during shipping​​.

What challenges do small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face under the regulation, and how are these addressed?

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often challenged by the administrative and financial burdens of complying with new regulations. To mitigate these impacts, the Council’s position includes a tiered compliance framework. SMEs handling less than 1,000 tonnes of pellets annually will be required to issue a self-declaration of conformity rather than obtaining third-party certification. Smaller enterprises are also granted an extended timeline—up to 48 months in some cases—to implement necessary measures. Additionally, Member States are encouraged to provide technical and financial support to SMEs, along with access to training and compliance resources, ensuring that these businesses can meet regulatory requirements without undue hardship​​.

AI Assistant

This feature and much more is available on our platform. If you would like early access, please leave your email and we'll get in touch.

We'll be in touch when the Assistant is ready.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Mountains

On 17 December 2024, the EU Council agreed on its general approach to a proposed regulation aimed at preventing plastic pellet losses. The move initiates negotiations with the European Parliament to finalise the legislation, which seeks to reduce pellet losses by up to 74% and advance the EU's "zero pollution" ambitions.

Setting the Stage for Change

Plastic pellets, widely used in manufacturing, rank as the third-largest source of microplastic pollution in the EU. Losses occur at various points in the supply chain due to insufficient handling practices. Once released, these non-biodegradable pellets are almost impossible to retrieve. The Council’s position introduces measures to tighten controls, requiring economic operators, carriers, and maritime transporters to adopt best practices and improve risk management systems​​.

Maritime Transport in Focus

With maritime transport accounting for 38% of pellet shipments in 2022, the Council included stringent provisions for sea-going vessels. These include enhanced packaging standards, mandatory cargo documentation, and secure stowage requirements. Non-EU carriers must designate EU-based representatives to ensure regulatory compliance, levelling the playing field across the sector​​.

Certification and Implementation Framework

The Council’s position mandates certification for larger operators, while smaller companies can fulfil requirements via self-declaration. Maritime transport obligations will take effect one year later than other provisions, giving the sector additional time to adapt. These measures aim to balance environmental protection with minimised administrative burdens​​.

Towards a Cleaner Environment

Plastic pellet losses are estimated to have ranged from 52,140 to 184,290 tonnes in 2019, impacting ecosystems, economies, and human health. This regulation supports the EU’s goal of reducing microplastic pollution by 30% by 2030, contributing to a cleaner and safer environment​.

By adopting its position, the EU Council has taken a critical step toward addressing plastic pellet losses and microplastic pollution. Negotiations with the European Parliament in 2025 will determine the final shape of the regulation, which has the potential to set a new global standard for environmental responsibility.

Read the source story

Read this article now for free!

You have read 3 articles.
Create a free account
or
Log in
to finish reading this article now.

Subscribe to our weekly digest

Sign up to receive our newsletter every Tuesday and get access to all of our content.

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
This is some text inside of a div block.

Trusted by professionals at

Dupont
ECHA - European Chemicals Agency
Energizer
Chemours
This is some text inside of a div block.

Get Foresight Today

Stay compliant, reduce risk, and protect your business with our AI-powered chemical policy monitoring—tailored just for you.

Global monitoring of 1,200+ sources
Expert-reviewed, trusted regulatory alerts
Instant risk identification for 350k+ substances

Ready to supercharge your policy monitoring workflow?

We’ll be in touch soon with more details and support to help you get started.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Share with a friend
Copy link

Related Articles

European Parliament EU Faces Scrutiny Over Inaction on Chemicals Strategy Commitments

June 26, 2025

EU ParliamentCommission’s Surprise Move on Green Claims Directive Sparks Industry Uncertainty

June 25, 2025

China flagChina’s Draft Environmental Code Proposes Stringent Controls on Chemicals

June 20, 2025

Foresight regulatory experts
Streamline your chemical compliance
Easy-to-use product compliance management for small and mid-sized manufacturers — mitigate risk and protect market access.
Get started
Subscribe to Foresight's newsletter
Stay ahead with the latest news & insights
Join 1,000s of compliance professionals getting the latest insights right to their inbox for free, every Tuesday.
100% free. No spam. Unsubscribe any time.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Stay ahead with the latest news & insights
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter covering news, events, and expert insights.

Related articles

European Parliament

EU Faces Scrutiny Over Inaction on Chemicals Strategy Commitments

A European Parliament report highlights the EU’s failure to deliver key chemicals strategy actions, affecting policy certainty across sectors.

26

Jun 2025

General
EU Parliament

Commission’s Surprise Move on Green Claims Directive Sparks Industry Uncertainty

EU Green Claims Directive faces uncertainty after Commission signals withdrawal, raising concerns for manufacturers, retailers, and sustainability stakeholders.

25

Jun 2025

General
China flag

China’s Draft Environmental Code Proposes Stringent Controls on Chemicals

China's draft environmental code introduces sweeping chemical controls. Learn how it affects compliance and risk across your manufacturing value chain.

20

Jun 2025

General
Foresight
Providing critical insights, analysis, and guidance to help businesses anticipate changes, make informed decisions, and stay ahead.
News & Insights
Newsletter
Legislation Hub
Coverage
Contact
About
© 2025 Foresight. All rights reserved.
SitemapTerms of servicePrivacy policyCookie policy