EU Regulation 2025/2365 of November 2025 aims to prevent the unintentional release of plastic pellets throughout the entire value chain and thereby significantly reduce the environmental impact of microplastics.
The release of plastic pellets represents the third-largest source of microplastics unintentionally released into the environment in the European Union. The causes lie primarily in improper handling at all stages of the plastic pellet supply chain. In particular:
production including recycling; the manufacturing of initial batches; the mixing, conversion, and processing of plastic pellets; as well as their distribution, transport, storage, packaging, and the cleaning of containers and tanks for plastic pellets.
The Regulation has the overarching goal of preventing the release of plastic pellets throughout the entire value chain and thereby making a significant contribution to reducing microplastics in the environment.
A certificate of conformity pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2025/2365 can be issued by:
- an accredited conformity assessment body for environmental management system, such as ISO 14001
- an EMAS-accredited Environmental Verifier
Companies and organizations at all stages of the plastic pellet supply and process chain:
- Production, Recycling industry;
- Manufacture of blends;
- Processing;
- Trade; Distribution;
- Transportation; Storage; Packaging;
- Cleaning of plastic pellet containers and tanks
For the implementation of the regulation, dedicated requirements based on company size and volume thresholds for handling plastic pellets apply:
- December 17, 2027: large companies ≥1,500 t
- December 17, 2028: medium-sized companies ≥1,500 t
- December 17, 2030: small companies ≥1,500 t
For the purposes of conformity assessment pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2025/2365, companies must meet the following requirements for each facility:
- Development, implementation, and an up-to-date risk management plan, including a comprehensive risk assessment
- Determination of the probability of plastic granules being released
- Documentation of established technical equipment and procedures to prevent, contain, or remove released plastic pellets
- Consideration of cost-benefit aspects when evaluating additional measures or equipment in the risk management plan (taking into account the type and size of the facility as well as the scope of operations)
- Information on regarding intentionally added additives, provided that their release could pose risks to human health or the environment
- Structured training program that addresses the specific training needs of employees
- Annual monitoring and documentation of the amount of plastic pellets released
- Provision of relevant information by manufacturers, importers, downstream users, and distributors—via labels, packaging, package inserts, or safety data sheets
- Appointment of an authorized representative by non-EU carriers to act on their behalf
Requirements for conformity assessment: Quality Austria Certification GmbH is accredited by Akkreditierung Austria to conduct ISO 14001 certifications and is also authorized by the BMLUK to conduct EMAS assessments.
ISO 14001, EMAS
