Published at the end of September 2023, Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 instituted new restrictions applicable to synthetic polymer microparticles, under the REACH Regulation. By all accounts, it is rather complex to interpret and manage. That’s why the European Commission has just published this Guide, designed to help stakeholders and Member States implement it.
Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, which introduces measures to limit microplastics intentionally added to consumer products under EU chemicals legislation, and which came into force on 17 October 2023.
These new rules aim to prevent the release of around half a million tonnes of microplastics into the environment, and target synthetic polymer microparticles, alone or intentionally added in mixtures.
This Commission Guide is divided into three parts:
• Part I describes in simple terms the provisions and the intended implementation of the restriction;
• Part II, in the form of a series of questions and answers, compiles replies provided to EU countries’ and stakeholders’ questions;
• Part III (the annexes) includes decision trees for the identification of microplastics and examples of borderline cases.
This first version has been prepared in collaboration with ECHA and the Member States, and the Commission indicates that it will be regularly updated as needs for further clarifications emerge from the practical implementation of the restriction.
Source
• Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 - Restriction of microplastics intentionally added to products - Explanatory Guide, European Commission, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, 1st April 2025
