How can EU legislation tackle microplastic pollution

This position paper by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues for comprehensive, binding EU legislation to reduce microplastic pollution. It emphasizes upstream prevention, the reduction of virgin plastic production, and sector-specific mandatory measures over voluntary agreements to protect human health and the environment.

• Microplastic pollution is described as a pervasive and transboundary threat that negatively impacts fauna, flora, ecosystems, and human health. It is linked to the release of greenhouse gases during the degradation of macroplastics and may disrupt the biological carbon pump, which regulates the global climate.
• The document asserts that the EU has a legal obligation under European Treaties and Human Rights law to implement stringent, compulsory measures to prevent pollution. It specifically recommends using Article 192 TFEU as the legal basis for legislation to allow Member States to implement higher levels of protection than the EU minimum, particularly for stationary industrial emissions.
• To effectively combat microplastic pollution, the paper argues that virgin plastic production and consumption must be reduced to sustainable levels. It highlights that most microplastics result from the degradation of larger plastic products, meaning macroplastic pollution and single-use plastics must be addressed in parallel with direct microplastic emissions.
• The report proposes several horizontal policy measures, including a harmonised definition of microplastics that includes (bio)degradable and water-soluble polymers, a ban on intentionally added microplastics in consumer products (such as glitter and microbeads), and the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) with eco-modulated fees.
• Sector-specific recommendations include establishing a secure chain of custody and mandatory audits for plastic pellets, flakes, and powders; setting legally binding maximum thresholds for microplastic shedding in textiles; and defining legal thresholds for tyre abrasion and wear to exclude high-wearing tyres from the EU market.
• The paper calls for the phase-out of synthetic polymers in agriculture and horticulture, specifically targeting geosynthetics and geotextiles used for soil and coastal protection. It also suggests restricting open-air blasting for paint removal and banning the export of all plastic waste to non-EU countries, with limited exceptions for EFTA countries.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2022). How can EU legislation tackle microplastic pollution. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/RPa-Microplastics-Position-Paper-July-2022.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. How can EU legislation tackle microplastic pollution. 2022. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/RPa-Microplastics-Position-Paper-July-2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=How can EU legislation tackle microplastic pollution |date=June 2022 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/RPa-Microplastics-Position-Paper-July-2022.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2022how, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{How can EU legislation tackle microplastic pollution}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2022}, month = jun, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/RPa-Microplastics-Position-Paper-July-2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }