The document summarizes the European Chemicals Agency's proposal to restrict intentionally added microplastics in professional and consumer uses. The proposed restriction would prohibit the placing on the market of products containing microplastics, with some derogated uses allowed. It would also mandate improved instructions for proper use and disposal to avoid releases into the environment, as well as reporting. A public consultation on the proposal is open until September 2019.

1. Intentionally added
microplastics
Helsinki Chemicals Forum
Mark Blainey
European Chemicals Agency
24 May 2019

2. 2
Global focus on plastic waste
• EU plastics strategy (January 2018)
• Single Use Plastics Directive (March 2019)
• Increase recycling rates
• Measures to reduce certain other emissions
• Investigate particle loss from tyres
• ECHA to develop restriction proposal for
‘intentionally added’ microplastics for
professionals and consumer uses

3. ECHA on request of COM proposed restriction
Prohibition on ‘placing
on the market’
Derogated uses
Improved instructions
for use
Mandatory ‘reporting’
Microplasticdefinition
PhasedImplementation

4. 4

5. 5
Labelling addressing proper waste
disposal
• Required in certain cases when use derogated from
‘placing on the market’ restriction:
• label/SDS/’instructions for use’/’package leaflet’ to provide
relevant use instructions to avoid releases of
microplastics to the environment.
• Industry to develop relevant wording (sector or product):
• Remove as much excess paint from rollers and brushes as
possible (and dispose in the bin) before cleaning in sink
• Do not dispose medicines down the drain
• Official EU language, visible, legible, indelible

6. 6
Public consultation is on going
• By 20 September 2019
• Only via the dedicated webform:
https://echa.europa.eu/restrictions-under-
consideration/-/substance-rev/22921/term
Final opinions: March 2020

7. Thank you!
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Mark.blainey@echa.europa.eu

8. 8
Microplastic definition
Solid polymer-
containing particles
0 5 10
Particle size (mm)
Particle size
distribution
Size [1nm-5mm]
≥ 1% w/w ?