Synthetic polymer microparticles: polymers that are solid and which fulfil both of the following conditions:
(a)are contained in particles and constitute at least 1 % by weight of those particles; or build a continuous surface coating on particles;
(b)at least 1 % by weight of the particles referred to in point (a) fulfil either of the following conditions:
(i) all dimensions of the particles are equal to or less than 5 mm;
(ii) the length of the particles is equal to or less than 15 mm and their length to diameter ratio is greater than 3.
Shall not be placed on the market as substances on their own or, where the synthetic polymer microparticles are present to confer a sought-after characteristic, in mixtures in a concentration equal to or greater than 0,01 % by weight.
The ban applies:
– from 17 October 2028 for “fertilising products”, as defined in Article 2, point (1), of Regulation (EU) 2019/1009, which do not fall within the scope of that Regulation;
– from 17 October 2031 for plant protection products within the meaning of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council and seeds treated with those products, and biocidal products as defined in Article 3(1), point (a), of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
– from 17 October 2028 for products for agricultural and horticultural uses not covered by above points.
ATTENTION:
The following polymers are excluded from this designation: polymers that are the result of a polymerisation process that has taken place in nature, independently of the process through which they have been extracted, which are not chemically modified substances; polymers that are degradable as proved in accordance with Appendix 15(Rules on proving degradability); polymers that have a solubility greater than 2 g/L as proved in accordance with Appendix 16(Entry 78 – Rules on proving solubility);polymers that do not contain carbon atoms in their chemical structure.
Source: COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2023/2055 of 25 September 2023 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards synthetic polymer microparticles