Meaning
Environmental rules limiting the intentional use and accidental release of small synthetic polymer particles govern the design and handling of plastic materials. Under the microplastic restriction regulation, manufacturers must control the release of plastic pellets, flakes, and powders from compounding and moulding facilities. It also bans the sale of products containing intentionally added microparticles of synthetic polymers.
Regulatory Scope
Industrial operations must implement strict containment measures to prevent polymer pellets from entering waterways. The microplastic restriction regulation targets the entire supply chain from polymer synthesis to the final moulding process. It demands that facilities establish pellet loss prevention systems, such as fine mesh filtration on all floor drains.
Compliance audits are conducted to verify that zero-loss targets are achieved.
Operational Control
Moulding plants must adapt their material handling equipment to prevent spills during resin unloading and transport. Implementing the microplastic restriction regulation requires installing sealed vacuum conveying systems for the raw polymer pellets. These automated systems eliminate manual handling and reduce the risk of accidental pellet dispersion.
Moulders also install vacuum-assisted dust collectors on their regrind stations to capture fine plastic particles generated during sprue grinding.
Material Specification
Product designers must select alternative materials for cosmetics, agricultural coatings, and abrasive blast media. Any masterbatch that relies on micro-beads must be reformulated to comply with the microplastic restriction regulation. This drives the adoption of biodegradable carrier waxes in masterbatches.
