Progress has been made in many countries to restrict the use of microplastics. However, there is still no single comprehensive European law that restricts the intentional use of microplastics in products or regulates the unintentional release due to microplastics in wastewater and subsequent discharge into the environment. But effective legislation on microplastics is critical to reducing environmental impact. What is the current status?

Plastic production continues to increase and microplastics have been detected nearly everywhere on earth – from arctic snow to human blood – yet there is still no single comprehensive law that regulates microplastic input into the environment. The development of regulations is a slow and ongoing process; this article provides information on the current laws surrounding plastics and microplastics, alongside the associated challenges and chances.