Parliamentary question

Written question to the European Commission

The Commission intends to present its proposal to restrict intentionally added microplastics to the Member States at the April meeting of the Committee established under the Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. The delay of almost one-year in presenting the proposal means that microplastics have continued to be released into the environment, which is not in line with the Commission’s pledge to end microplastic pollution.

1. Will the Commission ambitiously address all the key issues referenced in the European Chemicals Agency’s opinion in its proposal, specifically with regard to nanoplastics, solubles, biodegradables and infill in sport pitches?

2. Will its proposal take into account the ongoing delay, which has de facto prolonged the use of microplastics, in order to tip the balance in favour of ambitious measures on the key aspects of the proposal?

Answer given by Commissioner Breton on behalf of the European Commission

The fight against microplastics is a long-standing priority of the Commission and a key flagship of the European Green Deal. The proposed restriction on intentionally-added microplastics is the largest restriction under the regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) to date, both in terms of scope and expected impacts.

The Commission has carefully analysed the opinions of the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) and worked intensively to produce a first draft of the restriction proposal.

It will launch internal consultations in the coming weeks to finalise the draft restriction proposal, in view of discussions with Member States and future REACH Committee discussions.

The draft restriction proposal is expected to include a definition of microplastics for the purpose of the restriction, based on size, solubility and biodegradability, among other criteria. It will also include provisions to regulate microplastics-based infill materials for artificial sport pitches.

If a ban on the placing on the market is proposed for certain products, the draft proposal may provide for transitional periods before the ban applies.

Transitional periods are not conceived to take into account potential delays, but to give stakeholders, including Member States, municipalities and civil society, sufficient time to adapt to the newly adopted rules, develop suitable alternatives and substitute microplastics.