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Due to the announcement of the delay of the microplastics proposal, the EEB and ClientEarth updated their data on the number of intentionally-added microplastics emitted into the environment per year, based on ECHA numbers.
Our analysis aims to provide an overview of the past, current and future emissions of microplastics into the environment, since the European Commission requested the European Chemicals Agency to prepare a restriction proposal in 2017. This assessment takes into account the derogations and transition periods proposed by ECHA, as well as the current delays in the decision-making process.
Despite the initial ambition of the Commission, the data shows that the levels of emissions into the environment due to intentionally added microplastics will continue to increase in the coming years, contributing to irreversible pollution.
The EEB and ClientEarth stress that the restriction must no longer be delayed.