Microplastics

Montana DEQ Invites Comment on 2027 WPCSRF Emerging Contaminants Intended Use Plan and Project List

In May 2026, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality opened consultation on a draft 2027 Emerging Contaminants Intended Use Plan under its Water Pollution Control State Revolving Fund, outlining how more than two million dollars in federal infrastructure funding will be allocated to priority wastewater and stormwater projects. The plan signals increased investment in PFAS, microplastics, pesticide and other contaminant monitoring and treatment in Montana’s water infrastructure, so utilities and technology providers should track project selections and potential opportunities linked to this funding round.

13 May 2026, 09:21deq.mt.govUnited States

Minnesota Senate Passes HF3426 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Bill With PFAS Projects

In May 2026 the Minnesota Senate passed HF3426, advancing a major Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund bill that directs substantial funding to PFAS and microplastics research, monitoring and treatment projects. Although the bill is not yet enacted and creates no immediate obligations, it signals sustained state investment in PFAS measurement and remediation technologies that will influence future expectations for water utilities, biosolids management and PFAS‑using industries in Minnesota.

12 May 2026, 18:47revisor.mn.govUnited States

EU Water Protection Directives Enter Into Force, Expanding ECHA’s Scientific Role

The EU’s revised water protection directives entered into force in May 2026, expanding ECHA’s mandate to provide the scientific basis for updating pollutant lists, watchlists and water-quality standards. This creates a standing mechanism for tighter controls on PFAS, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, microplastics and other pollutants, raising future compliance and monitoring expectations for dischargers and water utilities across the EU.

12 May 2026, 18:40echa.europa.euEuropean Union

German Environment Agency Publishes Study on Updating Blue Angel Criteria for Insulation Materials and Systems

In May 2026 Germany’s Environment Agency published a comprehensive research report proposing how Blue Angel ecolabel criteria for insulation materials and systems should be expanded to better support the heat transition, circular economy, and alignment with evolving EU and national building policies. While non-binding, the study signals likely future tightening of voluntary but influential product requirements on hazardous substances, lifecycle climate and circularity metrics, and microplastics, shaping strategic choices for insulation manufacturers targeting sustainable building markets.

12 May 2026, 18:17umweltbundesamt.deGermany

EU Directive 2026/805 on Surface and Groundwater Pollutants Enters Into Force

A new EU directive revising pollutant lists and quality standards for surface and groundwater is now in force, bringing PFAS, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, microplastics and antimicrobial-resistance indicators under much tighter monitoring and control across the Union. By late 2027, Member States and operators will need to embed these changes into river basin plans, permits, treatment and data systems, raising expectations for more advanced water treatment, source control and chemical stewardship in high-impact sectors.

12 May 2026, 15:39eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Directive Updating Surface and Groundwater Pollutant Standards Enters Into Force

Directive (EU) 2026/805 revising pollutant standards for EU surface and groundwater has now entered into force, tightening controls on PFAS, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, microplastics and antimicrobial resistance in water. Companies and utilities will need to reassess discharge, monitoring and remediation strategies ahead of the 2027 transposition deadline to avoid non-compliance with stricter water-quality requirements and future revisions led by ECHA.

12 May 2026, 15:20eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Parliament Bill Would Require Microplastic Filters on New Washing Machines in England

A UK Private Members’ Bill introduced in 2024 would require microplastic-catching filters on all new domestic and commercial washing machines sold or used in England, with implementing regulations in force no later than 1 January 2029. If progressed, appliance manufacturers and brands will need to redesign products and supply chains to integrate compliant filters, plan for the 2029 deadline, and prepare communications on microplastic emissions and environmental performance.

12 May 2026, 13:04publications.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

China Implements Industry Standard for Measuring Microplastics in Surface Water (SL/T 849-2025)

China has implemented water-conservancy industry method standard SL/T 849-2025, defining a micro-Raman imaging approach for measuring microplastics in surface water. This strengthens the technical basis for microplastics monitoring in Chinese water systems and signals growing scrutiny of microplastics impacts in environmental and infrastructure projects.

11 May 2026, 11:40hbba.sacinfo.org.cnChina

Brazilian Senate To Analyse Bill Banning Plastic Microbeads in Cosmetics and Hygiene Products

In May 2026, Brazil’s Federal Senate received Bill PL 2.157/2026, a nationwide proposal to ban the manufacture, import and sale of personal care products and cosmetics containing intentionally added plastic microbeads. If enacted, this would force brands, contract manufacturers and suppliers serving the Brazilian market to phase out microplastics in rinse-off formulations, tighten ingredient transparency and anticipate similar controls in other jurisdictions.

11 May 2026, 11:39www25.senado.leg.brBrazil

New Jersey Assembly Bill A4908 Would Prohibit Green Acres Funding for Artificial Turf Fields

In May 2026, New Jersey introduced Assembly Bill A4908 to bar state Green Acres programme funds from financing the purchase, installation, use, or replacement of artificial turf fields. If enacted, this would immediately shift publicly funded parks and sports projects toward natural-grass solutions and signal rising regulatory and reputational pressure on PFAS- and microplastics-intensive artificial turf systems.

11 May 2026, 11:16pub.njleg.govUnited States

Taiwan Environment Ministry and Ocean Affairs Council Announce Joint Land-to-Sea Microplastics Monitoring and Control Programme

Taiwan’s environment and ocean authorities have launched a coordinated land-to-sea programme on microplastics, reporting low current detection levels in drinking water and large-scale coastal and marine clean-up activity alongside global data sharing. They are now evaluating regulatory options on circular product design, drinking-water microplastics parameters and tyre-wear controls, signalling that microplastics may soon feature more prominently in Taiwan’s product, water and pollution rules for manufacturers and supply chains.

9 May 2026, 19:12enews.moenv.gov.twTaiwan

Welsh Government Evidence Review On Oxo-biodegradable Plastics

In May 2026 the Welsh Government released a commissioned evidence review confirming that oxo-biodegradable plastics persist and generate microplastics under real-world conditions. This strengthens the scientific and policy basis for current and future restrictions on these materials within Wales’ circular-economy and plastics strategies.

9 May 2026, 13:22gov.walesUnited Kingdom

Denmark: Plastindustrien Assists Members With REACH Microplastics Reporting Ahead of 31 May 2026 Deadline

EU REACH’s new microplastics restriction now requires manufacturers and industrial users handling plastic pellets, flakes or powders at industrial sites to submit their first annual emissions report to ECHA by 31 May 2026, based on 2025 data. Plastindustrien is offering Danish Operation Clean Sweep members hands-on help with IUCLID/REACH-IT reporting ahead of this deadline, signalling that companies must quickly organise pellet and loss data to avoid non-compliance and potential enforcement risk.

9 May 2026, 07:13echa.europa.euDenmarkEuropean Union

European Union Outlines Shipping GHG and Marine Pollution Positions for IMO MEPC 84 and ISWG-GHG 21

In April 2026 the EU circulated a detailed non-paper to coordinate Member State positions for upcoming IMO meetings on shipping greenhouse gas emissions and marine environment protection. This document signals continued EU pressure for ambitious global rules on shipping decarbonisation, plastics and underwater noise that align with its own MRV, ETS, FuelEU, waste and marine protection regimes and are likely to shape future obligations for ship operators and fuel suppliers.

8 May 2026, 19:00data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Zero Waste Europe-Led NGO Coalition Urges Precaution on Incineration Residues in Forthcoming EU Circular Economy Act

A Zero Waste Europe-led NGO coalition has urged the European Commission to ensure the forthcoming EU Circular Economy Act takes a precautionary stance on using incineration residues, especially incinerator bottom ash, as circular materials. If this NGO pressure shapes the final Act, waste incineration and construction supply chains may face stricter EU-wide controls on hazardous substances in bottom ash, more demanding testing requirements, and less regulatory tolerance for using such residues as secondary raw materials.

8 May 2026, 08:38zerowasteeurope.euEuropean Union

Minnesota Legislature Advances HF3426 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Bill With PFAS Projects

Minnesota's HF3426 environment and natural resources trust fund bill, which includes multiple PFAS and microplastics monitoring and remediation projects, has passed the House and reached second reading in the Senate in early May 2026. If enacted, it would direct more than $100 million toward environmental research, infrastructure and community grants, signalling sustained state investment in PFAS measurement, treatment technologies and water-quality initiatives that will shape future expectations for utilities and project developers.

7 May 2026, 19:57revisor.mn.govUnited States

Earth Action Publishes Global Assessment of Micro- and Nanoplastic Migration From Food Packaging

In April 2026, Earth Action published a global synthesis quantifying how micro- and nanoplastics migrate from food packaging into food and identifying where exposure is most concentrated and preventable. The report frames packaging-related microplastic ingestion as a design- and use-driven risk, providing evidence that is likely to shape future food packaging standards, testing expectations, and regulatory priorities around microplastics and associated chemicals.

7 May 2026, 07:41e-a.earthGlobal

Scottish Government Reports on Recycling Capacity and Policy Options for End-of-Life Fishing Gear

In May 2026 Scotland published a technical capacity study and stakeholder engagement report on how to collect, recycle, and manage plastic end-of-life fishing and aquaculture gear. The findings and planned trial of a regional collection hub signal emerging circular-economy policy that could evolve into future obligations or schemes for fishing, aquaculture, ports, and waste operators.

7 May 2026, 05:49gov.scotUnited Kingdom

Global Scientific Review Links Chemicals And Climate Change To Fertility Declines

An April 2026 Nature review concludes that PFAS, microplastics, pesticides and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, together with climate change, are measurably reducing fertility and fecundity across humans and wildlife. This cross-species evidence is likely to strengthen demands for class-based regulation of hazardous chemicals, shape the design of a global plastics treaty, and raise expectations for tighter reproductive-health and biodiversity protections over the coming decade.

7 May 2026, 05:45nature.comGlobal

Minnesota House Passes HF3426 ENRTF Bill Funding PFAS and Microplastics Research

Minnesota’s House has passed HF3426, an Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriations bill that dedicates substantial FY2026–27 funding to PFAS and microplastics monitoring, treatment technology demonstrations, and biosolids research in the state. This targeted public investment signals a sustained Minnesota policy focus on PFAS and microplastics contamination across the water cycle, shaping the evidence base and priorities for future standards, clean-up projects, and infrastructure decisions without yet creating direct compliance obligations for companies.

5 May 2026, 14:12revisor.mn.govUnited States