Microplastics
New EU rules for less plastic granules in the environment
Very small pieces of plastic are the raw material for plastic products. But many land in the environment. With new rules, this should now be different in the EU.
With new regulations, fewer plastic granules in the EU will get into the environment in the future. For example, companies that deal with so -called plastic pellets will have to take certain precautions in the future. This was agreed by the European Parliament and the EU countries. This improved the handling of the pellets in all phases of the supply chain, on land and at sea, said the EU countries.
Plastic pellets are the raw material for the production of plastic products. For example, when transported, the pieces can be spilled and thus reach the environment. According to the information, these losses are the third largest source for the unintentional release of microplastics in the EU.
Risk report must be created
According to the EU Parliament, the new rules should apply to companies that turn over more than five tons of plastic pellets in the EU for all EU and non-EU transport companies that use road, rail or inland navigation traffic. They should also affect ship operators who leave or start a port in an EU country. In this way, you should create risk reports and perform measures for packaging, loading and unloading or training of the staff.
According to the EU Parliament, ship operators must ensure that the plastic pellets carried on the sea are well packaged and withstand the normal transport conditions. In the event of random or accident -related losses, emergency services would have to be informed immediately and all measures are taken to minimize the consequences.
The basis for the negotiations was a legislative proposal from the EU Commission. Parliament and Council now have to take the rules formally before they can come into force.
dpa
Source: Stern
