Microplastics

Synthetic polymer microparticles that are solid and which fulfil both of the following conditions:

(a) are contained in particles and constitute at least 1% by weight of those particles; or build a continuous surface coating on particles;

(b) at least 1% by weight of the particles referred to in point (a) fulfil either of the following conditions:

(i) all dimensions of the particles are equal to or less than 5 mm;

(ii) the length of the particles is equal to or less than 15 mm and their length to diameter ratio is greater than 3.

The following polymers are excluded from this designation:

(a) polymers that are the result of a polymerisation process that has taken place in nature, independently of the process through which they have been extracted, which are not chemically modified substances;

(b) polymers that are degradable as proved in accordance with Appendix 15 of Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055;

(c) polymers that have a solubility greater than 2 g/L as proved in accordance with Appendix 16 of Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055; and

(d) polymers that do not contain carbon atoms in their chemical structure.

Please refer to Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 for a list of derogations.

Microplastics are typically categorised into primary and secondary types. Primary microplastics are intentionally produced and added to products (e.g. microbeads, glitter or stabiliser in cosmetics), resulting in a direct release into the environment during the use phase of the product or at their end-of-life. Secondary microplastics derive from the breakdown of larger pieces of plastics (e.g. plastic waste, such as packaging or fishing nets).