Microplastics Newsletter: Q3 2026
Microplastics News & Updates
Illinois Passes Legislation Addressing Plastic Pellet Stormwater Pollution
On August 7, 2026, Illinois passed bill HB4418 and became one of the first states to specifically address the release of preproduction plastic pellets to the environment as a stormwater pollutant source. The legislation requires the (IEPA) to develop and begin implementing Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) requirements or similar best management practices for facilities for the control of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials within one year of the law’s effective date. These requirements are to be incorporated into applicable National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) permits maintained by respective facilities.
U.S. Regulatory Updates
Initiatives
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In April 2026, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) included microplastics as a priority contaminant group in the draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6) under the Safe Drinking Water Act, marking the first time microplastics have been added to the agency's list of contaminants for future evaluation. However, microplastics have not been included in the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) program and are not currently subject to federal drinking water monitoring requirements. The USEPA has indicated that additional research, occurrence data, and analytical method developments are needed before microplastics could be considered for broader drinking water monitoring or regulation.
- The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) finalized a rule in June 2026 adding microplastics to its Candidate Chemicals List under the Safer Consumer Products Program. This action makes microplastics eligible for future evaluation in product-specific regulatory assessments but does not, by itself, introduce new regulatory requirements or restrictions. DTSC's decision was based on evidence related to the environmental persistence, mobility, and widespread occurrence of microplastics, as documented in its technical review and rulemaking process. The listing represents a regulatory milestone that may inform future prioritization of products that contain or generate microplastics.
Proposed Legislation
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On 14 September 2026, New Jersey Assembly Bill A5452, the proposed “Protecting Against Microplastics Act,” was introduced. If passed, the bill would establish a phased regulatory program addressing intentionally added and secondary microplastics in consumer products. Manufacturers of cleaning products, cosmetics, foodware, and potentially ingestible products would face disclosure and bilingual labeling requirements beginning one to two years after enactment, followed by a prohibition after three years on the sale of certain cleaning, cosmetic, and potentially ingestible products containing intentionally added microplastics or capable of generating specified microplastic particles. It would also require the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to establish a source-reduction program, conduct statewide environmental monitoring and research, develop and periodically update a statewide microplastics strategy, and report on program effectiveness.
Litigation
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In June 2026, a coalition of 17 state attorneys general led by Nebraska, together with the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), filed a federal lawsuit challenging California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54). The plaintiffs argue that the law imposes significant regulatory and financial obligations on businesses selling products in California and extends California’s environmental policies beyond its borders. The plaintiffs are seeking to block enforcement of the law.
Research & Methods Development
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The Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) recently published technical guidance outlining standardized procedures for collecting ambient water samples for microplastics analysis. The guidance aims to improve the consistency and comparability of microplastics data by establishing best practices for sample collection, handling, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), and contamination prevention across a range of aquatic environments. As interest in monitoring microplastics continues to grow, the document represents an important step toward generating more reliable and defensible datasets that can support future research, monitoring programs, and regulatory decision-making.
International Regulations & Developments
European Union
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Effective as of May 2026, Directive (EU) 2026/805 updated the European Union's (EU) water protection framework by strengthening requirements for monitoring and controlling pollutants in surface water and groundwater. The new rule adds several emerging contaminants, including microplastics. The legislation also introduces "effect-based monitoring," which evaluates the combined impacts of multiple pollutants rather than assessing substances individually, and assigns a larger role to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in future pollutant evaluations.
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Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1168 amends the EU's existing Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) restrictions on synthetic polymer microparticles (microplastics). The regulation does not establish new restrictions but refines existing requirements (effective as of June 2026), including clarifying exemptions for human and veterinary medicinal products and creating an exemption for limited research and development uses of microplastics. The amendment also limits the circumstances under which microplastics permanently incorporated into solid materials are exempt from regulatory requirements, which will be effective by June 2028.
United Nations
- The United Nations (UN) Plastics Treaty negotiations are moving toward INC 5.4, the next phase of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee’s (INC) work to develop a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution. Following preparatory discussions in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 30 to July 3, 2026, Heads of Delegation are scheduled to meet in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 27 to 30, 2026, to continue discussions on unresolved treaty provisions. Further negotiations and preparatory meetings are expected in early 2027, making the outcome of INC 5.4 an important development for businesses monitoring future requirements related to plastics and microplastic pollution.
