Urgent Need for Legislative Proposal to Prevent Microplastics Unintentionally

We, the undersigned non-governmental organisations, now write to urge you to deliver on your vision to curb microplastic pollution in the European Union and cement your legacy as a global leader in tackling plastic pollution – and microplastic pollution, specifically – with decisive action in the next few months. [...] Given the magnitude of microplastic pollution, we commend the Commission for making strides towards curbing the release of microplastics into the environment. [...] The recent adoption of the European Commission's proposal on the restriction of intentionally-added microplastics by the REACH Committee is a step in the right direction and aligns with the European Chemicals Agency's findings that microplastics pose an inadequately controlled risk to the environment. [...] However, after years of delays, we are yet to see the release of a dedicated proposal to reduce microplastic emissions from the aforementioned sources and tackle the release of pellets – the third largest source of microplastic emissions in Europe. [...] In conclusion, we urge the European Commission to prioritise the swift release of this crucial proposal, which is vital for delivering the 30% microplastic pollution reduction target, advancing the objectives of the Green Deal before the end of this legislative mandate in 2024, and strengthening Europe's position as a global leader in addressing plastic pollution.