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PolskiUnit 3: Labelling of microplastics
Plastic consumption and its impact on the environment demand immediate action from all institutions. In this (literal) sea of plastic materials, microplastics represent a major challenge.
Microplastics which can be found in cigarettes, cosmetics and clothing have a devastating impact on the seas and oceans, and consequently on the flora and fauna. Ecolabels are only given to products respecting strict criteria and are regulated (ER Regulation 66/2010 on EU Ecolabel). For instance, rinse-off cosmetic products with microplastics cannot acquire the EU Ecolabel, and only products containing an elevated proportion of recycled plastics obtain the Nordic Swan Ecolabel as mentioned above (Ogunola, 2018).
However, microplastics-free labels convey information about companies’ environmental consciousness and enforce the idea of communicating political and ethical preferences through conscious consumption (Misund, 2020). Even though challenging certification systems could be used as transnational instruments for environmental standards through the orchestration of several actors and directives, certification labels to prevent microplastic pollution are not as effective as top-down governance methods encouraging consumers to pay more for eco-friendly alternatives through state regulatory frameworks (Misund, 2020).
Microplastics have a lot of implications for both the environment and the human health. The ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) is therefore concerned about their abundancy and current habitual use in the world’s market of production. For these institutional experts, microplastics not only need to be better labelled (using the previously described techniques and guidelines), but reduced and restricted in their use (ECHA, 2017[1]).
The European Commission and European State Members have already approved a regulation policy draft based on the ECHA’s report and the committees’ combined opinion. That proposal was approved in April of 2023, and will be scrutinized by the European Parliament and the Council before any restriction is adopted. Hopefully, labelling microplastics will not be necessary at all in the close future.