10 June 2020 – ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) supports restricting the use of intentionally added microplastics while recommending more stringent criteria for biodegradable polymers that are intentionally added to products on the EU/EEA market, in concentrations of more than 0.01 % weight by weight

In its opinion, the committee recommended the following:

●  Biodegradable polymers: ECHA’s have some test methods and pass criteria for identifying biodegradable polymers. RAC wanted confirmation that microplastic biodegradable (e.g. soils, marine environment, freshwater).

●  Use of microplastics as infill material on artificial turf pitches: RAC recommended a complete ban period of six years would be more effective than risk management measures.

●  The definition of ‘a microplastic’: For detecting microplastics in products (i.e. mixtures) contains a lower size limit of 100 nanometres.

Upcoming steps:

A 60-day consultation of SEAC’s draft opinion has been started and consolidated opinion is expected to ready by the end of 2020.

Reference: https://echa.europa.eu/-/rac-backs-restricting-intentional-uses-of-microplastics