COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Wednesday, 09 April 2025

● Council of the EU   09/04/2025 00:52 | Press release | Plastic pellet losses: Council and Parliament agree on new rules to reduce microplastic pollution   Today, the Council and the European Parliament provisionally agreed on a regulation on preventing the loss of plastic pellets – the industrial raw materials used to make plastic products – into the environment. The new rules will help improve the handling of plastic pellets at all stages of the supply chain, both on land and sea. “Microplastics, including plastic pellets are now found everywhere — in our oceans, seas and even in the food we eat. Each year, the equivalent of up to 7,300 truckloads of plastic pellets are lost to the environment. Today, the EU has taken a landmark step toward reducing pellet pollution by adopting measures to tackle losses and ensure correct handling, including in maritime transport.” — Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Polish Minister for Climate and Environment Stronger prevention of pellet losses Under the new rules, prevention of plastic pellet losses would be the main objective for operators and EU and non-EU carriers. A clear framework sets out obligations for cases of accidental losses focusing on clean-up operations. A clear set of measures will be included in a risk management plan, prepared by each installation handling pellets. Such measures would tackle, among others,   packaging, loading and unloading, staff training, as well as necessary equipment. To provide for a level playing field between the EU and non-EU carriers and to ensure accountability and transparency for all carriers of plastic pellets, non-EU carriers will have to designate an authorised representative in the EU. Achieving simplification and compliance  In line with the simplification goals for smaller companies and reflecting the Council’s approach, the provisional agreement strikes a balance between a high level of environmental protection and the requirements for companies adapted to their different size. In this sense, operators that handle above 1 500 tonnes of plastic pellets annually will have to obtain a certificate issued by an independent third party. Small companies also handling above 1 500 tonnes per year will benefit from lighter obligations, such as one-off certification to be done in 5 years after the entry into force. Finally, companies handling less than 1 500 tonnes annually and microenterprises will only need to issue a self-declaration of conformity. Maritime transport The persistence of a plastic pellet in an aquatic environment can be measured over decades or more, since plastic pellets are not biodegradable. Moreover, maritime transport accounted for around 38% of all pellets transported in the EU in 2022. Therefore, the co-legislators also agreed to set obligations for the transport of plastic pellets by sea (in freight containers), including ensuring good quality packaging and providing transport and cargo-related information, following the guidelines of the International Maritime Organisation. Next steps The provisional agreement will now have to be endorsed by the Council and the Parliament. It will then be formally adopted by both institutions, following a legal and linguistic review, and published in the Official Journal of the EU. The regulation will then become applicable 2 years after publication. To facilitate compliance within the maritime sector, the co-legislators agreed to postpone the application of relevant rules by one year (compared to the rest of the rules set out in the regulation). Background It is estimated that between 52 140 and 184 290 tonnes of pellets were lost into the environment in the EU in 2019. Pellet losses can occur at various stages along the value chain. Currently, no EU rules specifically cover plastic pellet losses, despite their adverse impacts on the environment, the climate, the economy and potentially on human health. Plastic pellets rank third among the largest sources of unintentional microplastic releases, after paints and tyres. Zero pollution: Council agrees its position on reducing plastic pellet losses, including in maritime transport (press release, 17 December 2024) General approach on a regulation on preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution Council conclusions on making the recovery circular and green, 11 December 2020 Zero pollution action plan (European Commission)

Conversations about the future: young artists, cultural policy, and regional security 08/04/2025 | Article Conversations about the future: young artists, cultural policy, and regional security On 7–8 April, an informal meeting of culture ministers from the 27 EU member states, as well as from Ukraine, Norway, and Iceland, was held in Warsaw.   Visit the website ● Eurogroup   08/04/2025 17:01 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Eurogroup, 11 April 2025   The Eurogroup will prepare for the upcoming Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group by discussing exchange rate and inflation trends. In inclusive format, ministers will review global economic prospects, fiscal developments, and euro area policy coordination, with input from the Chair of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament, Ms Aurore Lalucq. Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe will also present key takeaways from the March Euro Summit.