In September 2025, the EU adopted its first regulation specifically targeting plastic pellet losses, a major contributor to microplastic pollution. The new law introduces strict containment, traceability, and auditing requirements across the entire plastics value chain.

Each year, more than 160,000 tonnes of microplastics are released into the environment, with pellet losses accounting for almost 10% of the total.
Until now, pellet containment relied mainly on voluntary initiatives. With the adoption of the Pellet Loss Prevention Regulation, the European Union is establishing a legally binding framework that applies to all operators — from production to logistics and end-use.

The regulation mandates:

mandatory containment procedures at every stage of production, transport, and handling;

certified equipment and sealed containers to prevent leakage;

employee training and incident prevention programs;

regular third-party audits and public reporting;

full traceability and accountability throughout the supply chain.


Implementation will start in 2026, with progressive enforcement depending on operator size and activity type.
This initiative is part of the EU’s broader strategy to reduce unintentional microplastic emissions by 30% by 2030, alongside measures addressing tire abrasion and synthetic textile fibres.

While environmental groups welcome the regulation, many converters and logistics operators warn that compliance will require significant investments in infrastructure and process control.