Microplastic regulations in the EU – how to ensure compliance?

Concerns about the accumulation of microplastics in the environment and their impact on human health have prompted the EU to propose several measures to restrict their use and formation from larger plastics. Most notably, Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 added microplastics to the REACH Regulation as a restricted substance, prohibiting their intentional use in most products and materials after transitional periods come to an end.¹

The need to limit microplastic pollution is also mentioned in several other pieces of EU legislation, including the revised Drinking Water Directive, the new Construction Products Regulation, and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). As of July 2026, these regulations do not impose binding microplastic testing requirements on companies, but such obligations are expected to be introduced in the upcoming years.

EU definition of microplastics

In the REACH restriction, microplastics – or synthetic polymer microparticles – are defined as solid polymers with maximum dimensions equal to or smaller than 5 mm, or length equal to or smaller than 15 mm in the case of fiber-like particles with a length-to-diameter ratio greater than three. Chemically unmodified natural polymers, degradable and water-soluble polymers, and polymers that do not contain carbon atoms in their chemical structure are excluded from the definition.

Microplastics can be manufactured deliberately, such as for exfoliating beads in cosmetics, or they can form unintentionally when larger pieces of plastic break down. The REACH restriction only targets microplastics intentionally added to products, also known as primary microplastics. Unintentional release of primary microplastics is addressed by Regulation (EU) 2025/2365 on preventing plastic pellet losses, while secondary microplastics formed as larger plastics degrade are to be targeted under the EU Plastics Strategy and Circular Economy Action Plan.²

Summary of the REACH amendment on microplastics

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 amends the REACH Regulation by prohibiting the sale of microplastics and products to which microplastics have been added. Materials subject to the restriction must not contain synthetic polymer microparticles in concentrations greater than 0.01% by weight.

Some of the industries affected by the ban include sports, beauty, health, agriculture, and construction materials. The first measures, including a prohibition of loose glitter and microbeads, entered into force on the 17th of October 2023. Other sales bans will take effect gradually to give companies the time to react and switch to alternatives.

Timeline and products affected

As derogation periods are set in years from the amendment’s entry into force, new microplastic restrictions under REACH will always become applicable on the 17th of October of a given year. The ban will be enforced on the following product groups in the following years:

• 2023: Loose glitter and microbeads in product groups transitional periods do not apply to

• 2027: Rinse-off cosmetics

• 2028: Non-CE marked fertilizers, detergents, waxes, polishes, air care products, and miscellaneous agricultural and horticultural products

• 2029: Fragrances, leave-on cosmetics, and medical devices as defined by the EU MDR

• 2031: Plant protection products, granular infill used on synthetic sports surfaces

• 2035: Lip, nail, and other make-up products

Several product groups and uses are exempted from the ban, including in vitro diagnostic devices, CE-marked fertilizers, food additives, medicinal products, and microplastics used at industrial sites. Derogated uses and some exempted uses are still subject to annual reporting obligations and a requirement to provide instructions for use and disposal, with the goal of minimizing microplastic release into the environment.³

Compliance testing

Laboratory testing can be conducted to demonstrate that products do not contain microplastic particles at levels exceeding the 0.01% by weight threshold. Another way to demonstrate compliance with the REACH ban is to show that plastic particles are outside its scope due to being soluble in water or biodegradable in soil, sediment, or aqueous conditions. Water solubility is assessed following OECD Test Guideline 120, and the compliance threshold is solubility higher than 2g/L. Permitted biodegradability test methods include ISO 17556, OECD 301, OECD 306, and OECD 310.⁴

Other EU regulations on microplastics

The REACH restriction only applies to the intentional use of microplastics, but EU regulators are also addressing unintentional releases. The first concrete measure is Regulation (EU) 2025/2365 on preventing plastic pellet losses, which imposes risk management, packaging, and documentation obligations on companies handling at least five tonnes of pellets annually and on carriers transporting pellets. Most requirements apply from 17 December 2027.⁵

Several other EU directives and regulations also propose measures to limit microplastic pollution. These include:

• Revised Drinking Water Directive: The Commission intends to add microplastics to a watch list of substances to be monitored under the directive. Upon addition, a guidance value will be introduced, and if it is exceeded, water suppliers will need to take action to reduce microplastic concentrations. A measuring methodology has already been established by Delegated Decision (EU) 2024/1441.⁶

• Revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD): Article 21 of the revised UWWTD requires competent authorities to monitor the presence of microplastics in the inlets and outlets of urban wastewater treatment plants that handle a pollution load of at least 10,000 p.e. (population equivalents). Sludge must also be systematically tested for microplastics when reused in agriculture. Measurement methodologies will be established in implementing acts by July 2027.⁷

• Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR): From 12 August 2026, Article 5 of the regulation requires manufacturers to minimize the presence and emissions of substances of concern from packaging. Microplastic release is one of the aspects to be considered, but concrete test methods or compliance criteria have not yet been specified.⁸

• New Construction Products Regulation (CPR): According to Annex I to the new CPR, applicable from 8 January 2026, construction products must not release microplastics or other hazardous particles into the indoor environment, and construction works must not pose a risk to the environment through microplastic emissions.⁹ The implementation of these high-level goals will depend on the development of harmonized standards and technical specifications, which set the specific performance requirements for construction products in the EU.

Microplastics analysis according to EU regulations

Measurlabs offers microplastic testing for nearly all types of materials, products, and environmental samples, helping companies demonstrate compliance with the REACH microplastic ban and other current and future regulations. Analyses can be conducted using several techniques, such as µRaman, µFTIR, and py-GC/MS. Internationally recognized testing standards, including ISO 24187 and the ISO 16094 series, are followed where applicable.

We also partner with the German sustainability label flustix to offer microplastic-free certification for products that meet the REACH restriction criteria for the absence of intentionally added microplastics. Ask for more information about the certificate or request a quote for testing services using the form below. One of our experts will get back to you in one business day.