NEWS ECHA proposes microplastics ban


The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has pub- lished a proposal to restrict intentional addition of microplastic particles to products. This proposal could, if adopted, reduce the amount of microplastics released to the environment in the EU by about 400,000 tonnes over 20 years, the agency said. Microplastics are defined as synthetic polymers less than 5mm in size that resist biodegradation. The proposed restriction targets microplastics in products from which they will inevitably be released to the environment. It covers multiple sectors and a


proportion released directly to the aquatic environment, despite recent publicity about their effects on the oceans, is much smaller. While the long-term


Restriction could eliminate 400,000 tonnes of micro- plastic over 20 years


broad range of applications, including cosmetics, detergents and mainte- nance products, paints and coatings, construction materials and medicines. The decision follows an assessment by ECHA that


found that intentionally- added microplastics are most likely to accumulate in terrestrial rather than marine environments, as they concentrate in sewage sludge that is frequently used as a fertiliser. The


health and environmental effects of microplastic are not yet fully understood, their persistence and the potential for adverse effects or bioaccumulation is causing widespread concern, ECHA said. Several EU member


states have already intro- duced partial microplastic restrictions, but these initiatives are mainly in wash-off cosmetic products, according to ECHA. � http://echa.europa.eu


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