Microplastics regulation: EU rules and the state of the global treaty

In brief

• The EU microplastics restriction started to apply on 17 October 2023, with transition periods for some products running to 2035 [11].
• The European Commission says unintentional releases (tyres, textiles, pellets) add up to large volumes. These fall outside this restriction and are dealt with under separate rules [2].
• Negotiations on a global plastics treaty ended without agreement in Busan (2024) and Geneva (2025) [13][14]. As of 1 November 2026, the next formal session is planned for March 2027 [16][17].

Public debate about microplastics often boils down to one question: “Should they be banned?” This post summarises, with sources, the rules already in force and those still under negotiation.

Where things stand

EU: microplastics added to products on purpose

In September 2023 the European Commission adopted measures restricting microplastics intentionally added to products [12]. According to the Commission, the restriction, set out in Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, covers “synthetic polymer microparticles” on their own or intentionally added to mixtures, and began to apply on 17 October 2023 [11].

The same Commission page explains that it did not kick in for every product at once [11]:

• Loose plastic glitter for uses such as arts and crafts or toys has been banned since 17 October 2023, with some exceptions.
• Rinse-off cosmetics may be sold until 16 October 2027.
• Leave-on cosmetics may be sold until 16 October 2029.
• Make-up, lip and nail products may be sold until 16 October 2035, but from 17 October 2031 they must be labelled as containing microplastics.

The Commission expects the measures to prevent the release of about half a million tonnes of microplastics into the environment, and identifies the granular infill used on artificial sports pitches as the largest source of intentionally added microplastics [12]. The restriction is part of the EU’s aim to cut microplastics released into the environment by 30% by 2030 [2][12].

EU: microplastics released unintentionally

According to the Commission, unintentional releases, namely lost plastic pellets, synthetic textile fibres and tyre wear, account for massive volumes of pollution every year [2]. Pellets now have their own law: the Plastic Pellets Regulation (EU) 2025/2365 applies to EU installations handling five tonnes or more of pellets a year, and requires operators to prevent, contain and clean up spills [2].

The global plastics treaty

As of 1 November 2026 there is no legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution, and negotiations are continuing [16][18].

The session in Busan (November–December 2024) ended without agreement, with talks due to resume in 2025 [14]. An additional session in Geneva from 5 to 15 August 2025 also failed, with 185 countries unable to reach consensus [13]. The dividing line was scope: one group of countries wanted cuts in plastic production and a phase-out of harmful chemicals, while another, made up mostly of oil-producing states, argued for a narrower treaty focused on waste management [13]. A one-day session in Geneva on 7 February 2026 was convened to elect officers and deal with related administrative matters; Julio Cordano Sagredo of Chile became the committee’s new chair [15].

Heads of delegation met informally in Bangkok from 27 to 30 September 2026 [16]. The aim was to give direction for the next version of the chair’s text, known as the “Aid to Negotiations” [17]. The next formal negotiating session, INC-5.4, is planned for March 2027 [16][17], and another heads-of-delegation meeting is expected in Nairobi in January 2027 before that [18].

References

1. [2]European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment. Microplastics. https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/plastics/microplastics_en
2. [11]European Commission, Directorate-General for Internal Market. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 – Restriction of microplastics intentionally added to products. https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/chemicals/reach/restrictions/commission-regulation-eu-20232055-restriction-microplastics-intentionally-added-products_en (The regulation’s text on EUR-Lex could not be opened; cited from this Commission page, which notes that its explanations are not legally binding.)
3. [12]European Commission (25 September 2023). Commission protects environment and health by restricting intentionally added microplastics. https://commission.europa.eu/news-and-media/news/commission-protects-environment-and-health-restricting-intentionally-added-microplastics-2023-09-25_en
4. [13]RNZ (15 August 2025). World plastic pollution treaty talks collapse with no deal. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/570142/world-plastic-pollution-treaty-talks-collapse-with-no-deal
5. [14]UN News (1 December 2024). Plastic pollution treaty negotiations adjourn in Busan, to resume next year. https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/12/1157646
6. [15]UN Web TV (7 February 2026). INC-5.3. https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1d/k1d2b13auy
7. [16]PINA (30 September 2026). Pacific calls for a strong, implementable global plastics treaty in Bangkok. https://pina.com.fj/2026/09/30/pacific-calls-for-a-strong-implementable-global-plastics-treaty-in-bangkok/ (UNEP’s negotiation pages could not be opened; the timetable is cited from news reports.)
8. [17]Anadolu Agency (1 October 2026). Bangkok talks seek to bridge divisions over global plastics treaty. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/greenline/pollution/bangkok-talks-seek-to-bridge-divisions-over-global-plastics-treaty/1831815 (UNEP’s negotiation pages could not be opened; the timetable is cited from news reports.)
9. [18]Center for International Environmental Law (30 September 2026). Countries Unite Behind Effective Multilateralism During Plastics Treaty Talks in Bangkok. https://www.ciel.org/news/plastic-treaty-hods-bangkok/ (Statement from a civil-society organisation that follows the talks.)

How to cite this post

Mikroplastikveri. (2026, November 2). Microplastics regulation: EU rules and the state of the global treaty. https://mikroplastikveri.com/en/posts/microplastics-regulation/

Click the text once to select all of it. Add the date you accessed the page. If the post has been updated, give the update date as well.

Read this post in Turkish · Mikroplastik düzenlemeleri: AB kuralları ve küresel anlaşmanın durumu