COUNCIL APPROVES REGULATION PREVENTING PLASTIC PELLET LOSSES
On 22 September, the Council of the European Union formally adopted a Regulation to prevent plastic pellet pollution, including specific measures targeting the maritime transport of these materials. The text introduces legally binding requirements for shippers, vessel operators, and masters to reduce the risk of plastic pellets being lost at sea. The move follows incidents like the 2023 Toconao spill off Spain’s Galician coast, where millions of pellets were released into the ocean after containers were lost overboard, causing significant ecological damage.
Under the new rules, shippers must ensure that pellets are securely packed in high-quality, durable packaging designed to withstand the stresses of maritime transport. They are also obligated to provide detailed transport information to vessel operators, agents and masters before loading, including a special stowage request to minimise environmental risks. The regulation mandates that containers carrying plastic pellets be stowed below deck or in sheltered areas of exposed decks, where reasonably practicable, to prevent accidental spills. Operators and masters must verify compliance with these stowage instructions and ensure that containers are properly secured. These measures build on the IMO non-binding recommendations, but the EU’s approach makes them legally enforceable.
Beyond maritime transport, the Regulation establishes broader obligations for all actors in the plastic pellet supply chain, including risk management plans, certification requirements, and penalties for non-compliance. Member States will be responsible for enforcing these rules through designated authorities, inspections, and reporting mechanisms. The EU’s goal is to achieve zero plastic pellet losses, addressing a major source of microplastic pollution that harms marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
Following the adoption by the Council, the Parliament is expected to formally adopt the text at the next Plenary session in October, before its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Apart from specific derogations and exemptions, the majority of provisions in the Regulation will start applying from 2 years after entry into force.
Source: European Commission