Status: 27.09.2023, 11:03 a.m.
By: Felicitas Breschendorf
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Whether on the sports field or at a festival: You come into contact with the particles more often than you think. Certain products will soon be banned.
The sale of microplastics in various areas is gradually being banned in the European Union. New rules from the EU Commission will prohibit the sale of microplastics as such in the future, as well as products to which microplastics have been added and which release them during use. This is according to a statement by the Brussels authority on Monday (25 September).
Why are microplastics problematic?
The term microplastics refers to synthetic polymers that are difficult to degrade and are less than five millimeters in size. The particles accumulate in animals, including fish and shellfish, and can therefore also find their way into food. Researchers have also found microplastics in the human lungs.
The new regulations are intended to prevent the release of about half a million tons of microplastics into the environment.
Find out what microplastics are in
Plastic bottles are known to contain microplastics. However, manufacturers do not consciously add the toxic particles during production, which is why they are excluded from the ban. Obviously, this is not the case with breast milk either, in which researchers discovered microplastics.
According to the European Commission, the ban affects the following products:
1. Granular material of artificial grass and sports facilities
According to the Commission, the granules on artificial turf pitches and other sports facilities are the largest source of the release of added microplastics, and thus an environmental problem. The microplastic ban is to come into force after eight years - "to give the owners and operators of sports fields the time to switch to alternatives".
2. Scrubs
3. Glitter (glitter particles – as confetti or make-up)
Soon, manufacturers of glitter and artificial turf will have to think about how they could produce the products without microplastics. © IMAGO / Zoonar/ Lobeca/ Collage BuzzFeed News
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4. Microbeads, which are found in pillows, for example
The ban on micropearls and loose glitter, for example, is to apply in 20 days (as of September 26). For all other products, the sales ban will come into effect in the coming years.
5. In fragrances and colors of various cosmetics
6. Toys
Other harmful substances are also found in products for children. Some well-known toys were therefore banned.
7. Plant protection products and fertilisers
8. Plasticizers
9. Medicinal products
More on the topic: In your everyday life, there are also things that contain the toxic substance bisphenol.
(With material from dpa)