Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have provisionally approved a regulation on preventing the loss of plastic granules into the environment (the industrial raw materials used in the manufacture of plastic products). These new rules will help improve the handling of plastic granules throughout the supply chain, both on land and at sea. According to a statement issued by the EU institutions in Brussels, a copy of which we received, Paulina Henning-Kloska, Poland's Minister for Climate and Environment, whose country currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, said, "Microplastics, including plastic pellets, are found everywhere—in our oceans and seas, and even in the food we eat. Every year, the equivalent of 7,300 truckloads of plastic pellets is lost to the environment. Today, the EU has taken a historic step towards reducing plastic pellet pollution by adopting measures to address losses and ensure proper handling, including in maritime transport."
Stronger Prevention of Plastic Pellet Losses
Under the new rules, preventing plastic pellet losses will be the primary goal for operators and transport companies within and outside the EU. A clear framework sets out obligations in cases of accidental losses, with a focus on cleanup operations. A clear set of measures will be included in the risk management plan, prepared by each facility handling the pellets. These measures will address, among other things, packaging, loading and unloading, and staff training, as well as To the necessary equipment.
To provide a level playing field between EU and non-EU carriers, and to ensure accountability and transparency for all plastic pellet carriers, non-EU carriers will be required to appoint an authorized representative in the EU.
Achieving Simplification and Compliance
In line with the simplification objectives for small businesses, and reflecting the Council's approach, the interim agreement strikes a balance between a high level of environmental protection and the requirements adapted to companies of different sizes. In this sense, operators handling more than 1,500 tons of plastic pellets per year will be required to obtain certification issued by an independent third-party body. Smaller companies that also handle more than 1,500 tons per year will benefit from lighter obligations, such as a one-time certification within five years of the agreement's entry into force. Finally, companies handling less than 1,500 tons per year, as well as micro-enterprises, will only need to issue a self-certification of conformity.
Agricultural Transport
The persistence of plastic pellets in the aquatic environment can be measured over decades or more, as they are non-biodegradable. Moreover, maritime transport accounted for approximately 38% of the total pellets transported in the EU in 2022.
Therefore, participating legislators also agreed to establish obligations for the transport of plastic pellets by sea (in shipping containers), including ensuring the quality of packaging and providing information related to transport and cargo, in accordance with IMO guidelines.
The interim agreement now needs to be approved by the Council and Parliament. It will then be formally adopted by both institutions, following a legal and linguistic review, and published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The regulation will enter into force two years after its publication. To facilitate compliance in the maritime sector, participating legislators agreed to postpone the implementation of the relevant rules by one year (compared to the rest of the rules set out in the regulation).
It is estimated that between 52,140 and 184,290 tons of plastic pellets were lost to the environment in the EU in 2019. Plastic pellet losses can occur at various stages along the value chain. EU regulations do not currently specifically cover the loss of plastic pellets, despite their negative impacts on the environment, climate, the economy, and potentially human health. Plastic pellets are ranked the third largest source of unintended microplastic emissions, after paints and tires.