The European Union has finalized a new regulation aimed at drastically reducing pollution from plastic pellets, the small granules that form the building blocks of nearly all plastic products. This landmark legislation, which reached a provisional agreement on April 9, 2025, and was formally adopted by the Council on September 22, 2025, establishes a comprehensive framework to prevent the accidental release of these pellets into the environment. The rules will apply to the entire supply chain, from large-scale producers to small transport operators, marking a significant step in the EU’s broader effort to combat microplastic contamination.
These tiny plastic particles, often called “nurdles,” are a major source of microplastic pollution, finding their way into oceans, rivers, and soil. The regulation is a key component of the EU’s zero-pollution action plan, which aims to reduce the overall release of microplastics into the environment by 30% by 2030. The new rules are projected to cut pellet losses by 54% to 74% from current levels by requiring operators to adopt stricter handling procedures, implement preventative measures, and conduct regular risk assessments. The legislation follows several high-profile pellet spills that have highlighted the environmental damage caused by these materials.
Scope and Applicability of New Rules
The regulation casts a wide net, encompassing all economic operators handling plastic pellets in quantities of 5 tonnes or more per year. This includes manufacturers, converters, recyclers, and logistics companies involved in the transport and storage of pellets. The rules will apply to all modes of transport, including road, rail, inland waterways, and maritime shipping. The inclusion of maritime transport was a key point of negotiation, driven by recent damaging spills at sea, such as the one off the Galician coast in December 2023. To ensure a level playing field, the regulation applies to both EU and non-EU carriers operating within the Union.
Phased Implementation and Company Size
The obligations for companies will be phased in, with the regulation set to apply 18 months after it enters into force. The requirements are tiered based on the size of the operation. Medium and large companies that handle over 1,000 tonnes of pellets annually will face more stringent obligations, including mandatory third-party certification of their compliance. Smaller businesses will have lighter requirements, such as self-declaration of conformity, in an effort to reduce the administrative burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, all operators, regardless of size, will be required to take preventative measures, contain spills when they occur, and clean up any released pellets.
Core Obligations for Pellet Handlers
The central pillar of the regulation is the requirement for all operators to implement a priority-based approach to pellet management: prevention, containment, and cleanup. This means that companies must first and foremost implement measures to prevent spills from happening. Should a spill occur, they must have procedures in place to contain the pellets and prevent them from entering the environment. Finally, they are obligated to clean up any spills that do occur. These requirements are based on existing industry best practices, such as the “Operation Clean Sweep” program, but the new regulation will make them legally binding.
Risk Assessment and Reporting
All economic operators will be required to develop and maintain a risk assessment plan for their facilities. These plans must detail the specific equipment and procedures in place to prevent, contain, and clean up pellet losses. Operators will also be required to keep records of their pellet handling activities and estimate the quantity of pellets lost annually. In the event of a significant incident, operators must immediately inform the relevant authorities and provide details about the spill. This will create a more transparent system for tracking pellet losses and holding companies accountable.
Enforcement and Penalties
To ensure compliance, the regulation empowers national authorities to conduct inspections and verify that operators are adhering to the new rules. Member states will be responsible for establishing a system of penalties for infringements. These penalties are designed to be effective, proportionate, and dissuasive, and may include fines based on a percentage of a company’s annual turnover. For the most serious violations, the maximum fine will be at least 4% of the economic operator’s annual turnover in the member state where the infringement occurred. This robust enforcement mechanism is intended to ensure that the regulation has a real-world impact on reducing pellet pollution.
Addressing Maritime Transport
A significant addition to the original proposal is the inclusion of specific rules for the maritime transport of plastic pellets. This was a key demand from the European Parliament and environmental groups, who pointed to the devastating impact of pellet spills from shipping containers lost at sea. The new rules will turn the recommendations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) into binding obligations for vessels calling at EU ports. These include requirements for high-quality packaging, secure stowage of containers, and detailed cargo documentation. The provisions for the maritime sector will apply three years after the regulation’s entry into force, allowing time for the industry to adapt.
International Context and Future Outlook
The EU’s new regulation is one of the most comprehensive legislative efforts to date to tackle the problem of plastic pellet pollution. It is part of a broader global movement to address plastic pollution, including the ongoing negotiations for an international, legally binding treaty on plastics. The regulation is expected to not only reduce microplastic pollution within the EU but also to set a new global standard for the responsible handling of plastic pellets. The European Commission will review the regulation within eight years to assess its effectiveness and consider potential revisions, including the possibility of introducing chemical traceability for pellets.
