PANEL 4: Plastics − role of chemicals management to solve the problem with micro plastics in the environment Presentation: Valentina Bertato, Policy Officer Sustainable Chemicals, REACH Sustainable Chemicals unit, EU-Commission

1. From the Plastics Strategy to
microplastics
Valentina Bertato
European Commission
DG Environment
Helsinki Chemicals Forum, 14 June 2018

2. A EUROPEAN STRATEGY FOR PLASTICS IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
• Smart
• Innovative
• Sustainable
• Opportunities
• Social innovation
• Environment
Four main axis

3. • Regulatory action on single use plastic and fishing gear  COM
proposal
• Regulatory framework for biodegradable plastics
• Report on Oxo-degradable plastics  REACH
• Revision of Directive on Port reception facilities  Council
• Curb microplastics pollution:
• intentional release  REACH
• unintentional release (tyres, textiles, pellets)  various actions
Waste legislation
REACH
Drinking Water Directive
Port reception facilities Directive
Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive

4. Intentionally added microplastics
• ECHA working definition:
• Any polymer-containing solid or semi-solid
particle having a size of 5mm or less in at least
one external dimension
• Uses assessed:
 Cosmetics (rinse-off and leave-on), agriculture,
detergents, healthcare, oil and gas

5. Unintentionally generated
microplastics
 Tyres
 Plastic pellets
 Synthetic clothing
 Wastewater treatment
o Development of standards
o Measure of emissions
o Labelling
o Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme
o Restrictive measures where needed

6. Conclusions
 Plastics and microplastics are a policy priority for the
Commission
We do not want a plastic-free economy, BUT
Plastic needs to be used in a more sustainable and
circular way
 REACH restriction process: unacceptable risk from
the presence of microplastics in the environment 
very strong push to all other actions
 Plastics Strategy: combination of many targeted
actions across the sectors, using all regulatory and
non-regulatory tools available.

7. This presentation does not necessarily reflect the official
opinion of the Commission.
Thank you
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