The European Union has taken a firm step against microplastic pollution with measures that will combine phased bans and new obligations for the plastics industry. The European objective is to reduce microplastic releases by 30% by 2030, which will affect both businesses and consumers.

Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 not only focuses on banning certain applications but also introduces the obligation to calculate and report estimated microplastic losses annually to the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency). Companies will have to measure and establish internal monitoring systems, which were not previously mandatory. The first key date will be May 31, 2026, the deadline for companies subject to this regulation to submit their reports.

In this regard, Ángela Martín, a legal specialist at Aimplas, pointed out that “companies must anticipate and adopt concrete measures to comply with these new requirements. This includes establishing internal monitoring systems that allow for accurate measurement and transparent reporting to the ECHA.”

Keys to complying with the new requirements
To comply with the new European requirements, affected companies must begin as soon as possible to conduct an internal review of their products and applications to identify where intentionally added microplastics are being used. Furthermore, it will be necessary to prepare internal monitoring systems that allow for calculating and reporting estimated environmental losses. Companies must also organize all the required information in advance to meet the established deadlines, especially the first major milestone of May 31, 2026.

The legal specialist emphasized that “the key is for companies not only to understand the regulations but also to begin adapting as soon as possible to meet the established deadlines. The key dates are unavoidable, so preparation and early management will be crucial.”

Exfoliants and Artificial Turf

On the other hand, it is worth noting that another key measure that will directly affect consumers is the ban on exfoliating cosmetics containing plastic microbeads, which will come into effect on October 17, 2027. These particles, designed to cleanse or add texture, end up in the water after use and can persist in the environment for years. Ángela Martín explained that “exfoliating cosmetics with plastic microbeads are one of the most visible applications for consumers, as these particles end up polluting the water, generating a very significant environmental impact. This ban is an important step in reducing this microplastic load.”

Another measure that will affect consumers is the ban on granular infill in artificial turf fields, which will be prohibited from October 17, 2031. These materials, used mainly in sports and recreational facilities, are one of the main sources of unintentional microplastic release into the environment. According to the legal expert, “artificial turf is an application with a high environmental impact due to the particles released during its use. Manufacturers should explore alternatives to these materials to avoid this release of microplastics.”

Prevention of pellet losses

Regulation (EU) 2025/2365 also introduces the obligation to prevent pellet losses, the small pellets used as raw material for manufacturing plastics. In this case, operators handling more than five tons per year, as well as carriers and ships operating in the EU, must implement preventive measures and risk management plans. The deadline for implementing these plans is December 17, 2027.

The accidental loss of pellets will be considered a legal breach with legal and economic consequences. According to Ángela Martín, “the management of pellets throughout the entire logistics chain is essential to prevent their release into the environment. Companies must be proactive in implementing preventive measures and management plans.”

A Change in the Plastics Industry

The changes this new regulation brings to the plastics industry are profound. It represents a complete transformation in how plastic materials are manufactured and managed. For this reason, Aimplas offers technical support in interpreting the regulations, in the ECHA notification processes, and in implementing the required risk management plans. The legal certainty and competitiveness of the sector will depend on strict adherence to deadlines and a sound technical approach.

Furthermore, the plastics technology institute has been working for years on projects to prevent microplastics in water, such as VALPLAST and MORESAN, which investigate the behavior of microplastics in different matrices and their impact on the environment. VALPLAST studies the valorization of bioplastics in wastewater treatment plants, while MORESAN has developed methods to detect, identify, quantify, and characterize emerging contaminants, such as microplastics, bisphenols, phthalates, antibiotics, and PFAS, in the urban wastewater of the city of Valencia.

Finally, Cristina Furió, a researcher at the Microplastics Laboratory, emphasized that “our projects are helping to monitor the generation of microplastics, develop innovative methods for their detection and identification, and study the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on human health.”