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European lawmakers and national governments have agreed on new regulations targeting microplastic pollution from maritime shipping. The deal focuses on stricter packaging standards for plastic pellets, which are often spilled during transport by sea. This new legislation comes after repeated incidents of pellet spills that polluted European shores, sparking public outrage in countries like Spain and the Netherlands.

The new rules demand that shipping companies follow updated packaging guidelines and handling procedures set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The regulations are a direct response to growing environmental concerns about the pollution caused by microplastics entering the oceans.

Stricter Packaging and Documentation Requirements

Under the agreement, shipping firms are now required to comply with the new packaging standards, ensuring that plastic pellets are better contained during transport. Companies must document cargo details more carefully and comply with updated handling practices. These measures aim to prevent the widespread release of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, into the environment.

The push for tougher controls follows several high-profile incidents where container spills released millions of plastic pellets onto European beaches. The new deal is seen as a significant step in curbing the flow of microplastics into the oceans and protecting coastal ecosystems.

“We cannot afford to wait any longer to address the damage caused by microplastics,” said César Luena, a leading member of the European Parliament who advocated for the law. “The new rules will help prevent future disasters and protect public health.”

Large Pellet Handlers Must Undergo Independent Audits

The new law introduces a requirement for large-scale pellet handlers to undergo independent third-party audits. Companies moving over 1,500 tonnes of plastic pellets annually will be subject to these audits to ensure they are following the new safety and packaging guidelines.

Medium and large pellet-handling sites must also adhere to mandatory audits, aimed at improving safety standards across the entire supply chain. Small businesses, while exempt from the full audit requirements, will still be required to improve their packaging practices and keep better documentation of their shipments.

Policymakers believe that this regulation will help standardize safety practices and hold companies accountable for their role in microplastic pollution. The law is expected to ensure better control over the handling and transportation of plastic pellets, which are a major source of microplastic contamination in the oceans.

Final Approval and Implementation

Although the European Parliament and the EU Council have yet to give final approval to the law, the agreement marks a significant step forward in addressing the issue of microplastic pollution. Once approved, the new regulations will become the first EU law specifically targeting accidental pellet spills during maritime transport.

Industry groups have voiced concerns about the new requirements, particularly the mandatory audits for large companies. However, environmental advocates argue that the law is long overdue and necessary to protect marine life and ecosystems from further damage.

“These regulations are a victory for environmental protection, but we must not forget the three-year delay in implementing these rules for maritime freight,” said Frédérique Mongodin from the environmental group Seas At Risk. “It’s an unjustifiable delay that has allowed the pollution to continue.”

Activists Praise the Legislation

Environmental groups have widely praised the new law as a major step toward reducing microplastic pollution in the oceans. They argue that the regulation’s focus on the supply chain will help ensure that companies take responsibility for preventing pellet spills and cleaning up their messes.

Recent studies have found microplastics in nearly every life form, including in the human brain, highlighting the urgency of tackling this pollution problem. Experts believe that the new regulations could be instrumental in curbing the global microplastic crisis, which has become a major environmental and health concern.

César Luena, who led the law through the European Parliament, emphasized the law’s importance in preventing future environmental disasters. He pointed to past pellet spills in the North Sea and Spain as clear examples of the need for stronger regulations.

The new legislation is a follow-up to a previous EU law passed in 2023, which banned intentionally added microplastics in products. Together, these measures signal a broader European commitment to addressing the growing microplastic crisis.

“It is time to take decisive action to protect our oceans, marine life, and public health from the dangers of microplastic pollution,” Luena added.