Sittings · Compare
What changed
DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoptionproposal offor a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution
(09047/1/2025(COM(2023)0645 – C100234/2025C9-0378/2023 – 2023/0373(COD))
(Ordinary legislative procedure: secondfirst reading)
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the CouncilCommission positionproposal atto firstParliament readingand (09047/1/2025the –Council C100234/2025),(COM(2023)0645),
– having regard to the reasoned opinion submitted, within the framework of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, by the Italian Chamber of Deputies, asserting that the draft legislative act does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity,
– having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 192(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0378/2023),
– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
– having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 14 February 2024,
– having regard to the opinionafter ofconsulting the Committee of the Regions of 18 April 2024,Regions,
– having regard to its position at first reading on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2023)0645),
– having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to Articlethe 294(7)opinion of the TreatyCommittee on the Functioning ofIndustry, theResearch Europeanand Union,Energy,
– having regard to the provisional agreement approvedreport byof the committeeCommittee responsibleon underthe RuleEnvironment, 75(4)Public ofHealth itsand RulesFood ofSafety Procedure,(A9-0148/2024),
– having regard to Rule 68 of its Rules of Procedure,
1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;
– having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (A10-0203/2025),
2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;
1. Approves the Council position at first reading;
3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.
2. Notes that the act is adopted in accordance with the Council position;
Amendment 1
3. Instructs its President to sign the act with the President of the Council, in accordance with Article 297(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;
Proposal for a regulation
4. Instructs its Secretary-General to sign the act, once it has been verified that all the procedures have been duly completed, and, in agreement with the Secretary-General of the Council, to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;
Recital 1
5. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.
Justification
SHORT JUSTIFICATION
The inclusion of additives and substances of concerns is aligned with the definition of plastic pellets developed in the OSPAR Recommendation 2021/06 on the reduction of plastic pellet loss into the marine environment, OSPAR 21/13/1, Annex 30.
The Council position at first reading reflects the agreement reached between Parliament and the Council in interinstitutional negotiations at early second-reading stage.
Amendment 2
ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT
Proposal for a regulation
The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not include in his report input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
Recital 4
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
Justification
These elements are developed in several international reports, including the Report 'Stemming the tide: putting an end to plastic pellet pollution' published by the NGO Fauna and Flora International in 2022’ and the OSPAR Background document on pre-production Plastic Pellets (2018).
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Amendment 13
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Amendment 14
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Amendment 15
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Amendment 16
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Amendment 17
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Justification
While it is of course preferable to have a standardised reporting methodology for pellet losses, absence of such a method should not lead to economic operators not reporting pending the adoption of the standardised methodology. It should therefore be clarified that pending the adoption of the standardised methodology, economic operators should indicate the methodology used when reporting losses of plastic pellets.
Amendment 18
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
Amendment 19
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Amendment 20
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Amendment 21
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
Amendment 22
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Amendment 23
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 24
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 25
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
Amendment 26
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f
Amendment 27
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point g
Amendment 28
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Amendment 29
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Amendment 30
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 31
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Amendment 32
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Amendment 33
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 34
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point a
Amendment 35
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Amendment 36
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Amendment 37
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Amendment 38
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Amendment 39
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
Amendment 40
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 9 – introductory part
Amendment 41
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 9 – point b
Amendment 42
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 9 – point c
Amendment 43
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 9 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 44
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Amendment 45
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 46
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Amendment 47
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Amendment 48
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Amendment 49
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Amendment 50
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
Amendment 51
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 52
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Amendment 53
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a
Amendment 54
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Amendment 55
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 56
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Amendment 57
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Amendment 58
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2
Amendment 59
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Amendment 60
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Amendment 61
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 62
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 63
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – introductory part
Amendment 64
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point b
Amendment 65
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point c
Amendment 66
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point d
Amendment 67
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Amendment 68
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2
Amendment 69
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Amendment 70
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 71
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Amendment 72
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point a
Amendment 73
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 a (new)
Amendment 74
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 b (new)
Amendment 75
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Amendment 76
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
Amendment 77
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Amendment 78
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
Amendment 79
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 2 – point b
Amendment 80
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
Amendment 81
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 82
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Amendment 83
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
Amendment 84
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 2 – point b
Amendment 85
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 2 – point c
Amendment 86
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 87
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 9 – introductory part
Amendment 88
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point 1
Amendment 89
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Amendment 90
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point 2
Amendment 91
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point 3
Amendment 92
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
Amendment 93
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV a (new)
Amendment 94
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV b (new)
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
According to research, there is currently more than 2 million tonnes of microplastics floating in the sea. Data from the United Nations Environment Programme points to more than 430 million tonnes of plastic produced annually. Two-thirds are short-lived products that soon become waste, filling the ocean and, often, working their way into the human food chain.
As the Commission clearly states in its impact assessment, which is also widely acknowledged by the stakeholders of this sector, the biggest issue with microplastics from pellets plastic production lies on the handling and transporting of these products. Once in the environment, these microplastics are almost impossible to capture. Therefore, all major efforts should be put into monitoring and prevention, thus avoiding any kind of preventable losses.
The impact of microplastics, once lost in the environment, are prejudicial for nature, ecosystems and biodiversity, but also for food chains and to human health. They also contribute to the increase of carbon emissions and negatively impact other agents that are responsible for carbon captures in the sea. Furthermore, the fact that they are of a very small dimension (no bigger than 5mm), contributes to its very high mobility, which means that they can easily be moved by different means, including air, land, surface waters and marine currents. They can also be found in soil, comprising agricultural land, whether directly or through the reuse of residual waters for agriculture, which can be detrimental to the quality of soils food consumption and human health.
There is also recognition that plastic pellets are the third main source of microplastics pollution through unintentional releases, which also include paints, tyres and textiles as other major sources. The current Regulation presented by the Commission aims at tackling the specific pollution from pellets releases into the environment, which shall be complemented by a much-needed revision of the REACH regulation, besides other relevant EU legislation such as the EURO 7, the Plastics Strategy, the Circular Economy Action Plan and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, among others.
Considering the Commission’s approach, it is the Rapporteur’s understanding that it sets a solid base for tackling the main challenge, namely the handling and transport of plastic pellets, based on a comprehensive impact assessment. It insists on the idea of increasing and improving monitoring, reporting and certification methods and instruments, thus providing a better overview of the total actual amount of the losses.
It also sets the different actions and measures to be taken by the different agents of the value chain, such as producers, operators and carriers, as well as the role of competent authorities in the Member-states. At the same time, it sets different approaches and targets according to the size of the enterprise, creating exemptions and introducing less costly procedures for SMEs.
However, it is the Rapporteur’s opinion that there is room for improvement of the proposal.
The first matter of improvement is the definition of microplastics, which is consensually understood by the scientific community to include also powders, flakes and dust, which was omitted in the Commission’s proposal.
Secondly, the Rapporteur wants to introduce the possibility for a reduction of the tonnage per year which would allow for exemptions according to the Commission’s proposal, from 1000 tonnes to 250 tonnes. The same logic shall apply to exemptions to Small and Medium Enterprises, as the Rapporteur believes that the proposed exemptions should only apply to Micro Enterprises. This is also the approach established by the OSPAR Recommendation.
Finally, the Rapporteur’s approach on the previous points derives from the conviction that not only preventive measures, as well as repairing of detected flaws, is much more cost effective for enterprises, by allowing a return on investment on the recovery of the losses, but also by driving the ambition up in reducing the quantity of microplastics in the environment and all its collateral consequences, including for human health.
The Rapporteur strongly feels that there is a broad consensus in society regarding the need to reduce the presence of microplastics in the environment. For this reason, following the good recommendation elaborated by OSPAR and the openness and availability of the economic sector to improve the initial proposal of the Commission, this Report aims at improving the requisites of spilling prevention in all phases of pellets production and handling, including transportation, while at the same time guaranteeing important safeguards for companies to not significantly impact their economic operations.
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT
Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur declares that he has received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the report, until the adoption thereof in committee:
The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.
21.2.2024
OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND ENERGY
for the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution
(COM(2023)0645 – C90378/2023 – 2023/0373(COD))
Rapporteur for opinion: Maria Spyraki
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, as the committee responsible, to take the following into account:
Amendment 1
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Amendment 2
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point -a (new)
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point -a a (new)
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point b
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point c
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point d
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point d
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR FOR THE OPINION HAS RECEIVED INPUT
Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur for the opinion declares that she has received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the opinion, until the adoption thereof in committee:
The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur for the opinion.
PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THEIN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE