Microplastics Newsletter: Q1 2026

Regulatory Roundup

• The European Union (EU) adopted Regulation (EU) 2025/2365 to prevent the loss of plastic pellets—also known as nurdles used to manufacture plastic products—across the supply chain. The law, which entered into force on 16 December 2025, requires companies that produce, transport, or handle plastic pellets to implement measures to prevent spills, contain and clean up losses, train staff, and document pellet handling and losses. The regulation applies broadly to manufacturers, recyclers, transporters, and other operators handling more than five tonnes of pellets annually. This measure is part of the EU’s broader strategy to cut microplastic releases by 30% by 2030 and move toward a more sustainable and circular plastics economy.

• Alaska House Bill 25 (HB 25) proposes restrictions on the use of polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) disposable food service ware in restaurants. Under the bill, restaurants would be prohibited from serving prepared food in polystyrene foam containers and would instead be required to use biodegradable or compostable alternatives, unless they qualify for an exemption due to lack of feasible options. The bill would also prohibit state agencies from purchasing or using polystyrene foam food service ware. The legislation includes several exemptions, such as for food packaged outside Alaska, reusable coolers, and certain emergency situations.

• Illinois House Bill 4418 (HB 4418) proposes amendments to the state’s Environmental Protection Act to reduce microplastic pollution from plastic pellets used in plastic manufacturing. The bill would require the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to develop requirements for stormwater pollution prevention plans or similar best management practices in permits issued to certain industrial facilities. These requirements would focus on preventing plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials from entering stormwater runoff and ultimately reaching waterways. Illinois Senate Bill 3681 (SB 3681, “Protect the Great Lakes Act”) has also been introduced and would require the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) and the IEPA to test for and report per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics in Illinois drinking water on a monthly basis.

• Minnesota Senate File 1389 (SF 1389) proposes funding to study the presence of microplastics in meat and poultry sold in the state. The bill would appropriate $1.5 million in fiscal year 2026 to the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture to conduct the study in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota, with the option to contract private laboratories. The study would assess the occurrence of microplastics in these food products and provide findings and recommendations to state legislative committees responsible for agriculture and health.

• New Jersey Senate Bill S676 has been introduced and proposes that by 1 January 2030, all washing machines sold on or after this date would be required to be manufactured with filtration systems that capture microfibers and microplastics.

• The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has opened its system for companies to submit annual reports on their microplastics emissions under the EU’s microplastics restriction, which is part of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. These reports, covering estimated environmental releases of certain synthetic polymer microparticles that are exempt from the ban, must be submitted through ECHA’s online tools by 31 May 2026 for the 2025 reporting year, with further deadlines in later years. The reporting system uses updated versions of the International Uniform Chemical Information Database (IUCLID) and REACHIT tools and was developed with stakeholders to standardize data collection and transparency. Companies required to report include manufacturers, importers, downstream industrial users, and suppliers of products containing such microplastics. ECHA says the collected data will help regulators monitor emissions, assess risk management effectiveness, and inform future policy decisions.

 Recent Studies

Identifying Microplastics from Ship Paint

Marine coatings, containing plastic polymers, are widely applied to offshore structures, including ships, to prevent corrosion and biofouling. These coatings are a potential source of marine microplastic pollution due to release of paint particles into the ocean. Accurately identifying microplastics released from these coatings is challenging because their complex mixtures, multiple layers, and various ingredients can interfere with standard analytical methods. By combining infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectral analysis, elemental analysis, and density profiling, researchers can more effectively distinguish paint-derived microplastics from other types. These findings highlight the importance of improving current analytical techniques to better assess the impact of paint particles on marine microplastic pollution.

DTSC Publishes (And Requests Feedback On) Microplastics in Consumer Products

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) released a preliminary research document on consumer products that contain or generate microplastics. Products were evaluated with the goal of protecting the environment, natural resources, children, and workers from potential exposure to microplastics and other potentially harmful Candidate Chemicals. Paints, food contact materials, and cleaning products were among other products chosen for screening and, pending additional research, possible addition to the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Regulation’s list of Priority Products. DTSC is requesting the public comments in the form of information that could fill data gaps, possible alternatives to these substances, and methods to reduce pollution.

Conference Updates

International Microplastics Exposure and Human Health Conference; Santa Fe, New Mexico

The 1^st annual conference was held on January 11-14, 2026 and organized by microplastics researchers at the University of New Mexico’s Colleges of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Engineering (Drs. Mathew Campen, John Yu, and Jose Cerrato). Roughly 300 scientists (primarily academic researchers) attended the meeting from institutions around the world. The scientific focus was on exposure assessment (including analytical methods and tissue findings) and research relevant to possible human health and ecological impacts.