EU RESTRICTIONS ON INTENTIONALLY ADDED MICROPLASTICS – SMALL PLASTIC, LOW AMBITION
EU RESTRICTIONS ON INTENTIONALLY ADDED MICROPLASTICS – SMALL PLASTIC, LOW AMBITION
Author(s): Amna HrustićSubject(s): Energy and Environmental Studies, Environmental and Energy policy, Health and medicine and law, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, EU-Legislation, Comparative Law
Published by: Pravni fakultet - Univerzitet u Zenici
Keywords: microplastics; rinse-off products; EU Plastic Strategy; COVID-19; environmental protection;
Summary/Abstract: The paper discusses the need for an EU wide ban of microplastics. The focus is on the announced EU regulation on the ban of intentionally added microplastics. The paper firstly presents published results from research in natural science on the widespread of microplastic pollution and its influence on human health and life of animals and plants. These findings are used to analyse from a legal perspective to what extent there is a need for an EU ban on microplastics, what should be the scope of such regulation and what are the potential economic and regulatory impacts. The increase of plastic pollution caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is in this paper analysed as an important factor for a stricter EU approach towards microplastics. The EU for now decided to ban only the use of microplastics in rinse-off products and not in leave-on products. The EU did not show the ambition to be a front-runner on this matter, despite the economic benefits and its front-runner status in recycling. The comparative analysis confirms that the EU so far only reacts to already enacted legislation in other parts of the globe.
Journal: Anali Pravnog fakulteta Univerziteta u Zenici
- Issue Year: 15/2022
- Issue No: 31
- Page Range: 7-32
- Page Count: 26
- Language: English