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The Council of the European Union has adopted a new regulation aimed at reducing the release of plastic pellets into the environment, following a provisional agreement with the European Parliament. The final text was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 26 November 2025.

Plastic pellets are, widely used as a raw material in manufacturing but pose a significant pollution threat because they do not biodegrade once released. Instead, they accumulate in oceans, rivers, soil, marine life and, eventually, the human food chain. It is currently estimated that 52,000 to 184,000 tonnes of pellets leak into the environment each year, making them the third-largest source of unintentional microplastic pollution. The newly adopted rules introduce stronger controls across the entire supply chain to reduce pellet losses and tackle the broader issue of microplastic contamination.

Key Provisions of the Regulation

Regulation 2025/2365 on preventing plastic pellet loss in the EU introduces comprehensive obligations to eliminate plastic-pellet losses across the entire supply chain, with the clear goal of achieving zero leakage into the environment. The rules apply to companies handling five tonnes or more of pellets each year, as well as to operators responsible for cleaning containers and tanks, and to both EU and non-EU carriers transporting pellets within the Union. They also extend to shippers, vessel operators, agents and masters of seagoing vessels transporting pellet-filled freight containers to or from EU ports.

To ensure accountability, non-EU transporters must appoint an authorised representative within the EU, while operators handling more than 1,500 tonnes of pellets annually will need certification from an independent third party. Smaller businesses will follow simplified procedures, including self-declaration of compliance.

The regulation also sets out detailed requirements for the maritime transport of pellets, mandating safer packaging, handling and clear cargo information to prevent pellet losses at sea. These measures collectively represent a major step toward strengthening Europe’s response to microplastic pollution in both land and marine environments.

Next steps

The Regulation will take effect 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, meaning it will become legally effective on 16 December 2025. Most provisions will apply from 17 December 2027. However, several key articles, including those on general obligations and specific operational requirements, will apply earlier, from 16 December 2025.

Specific rules relating to shippers and operators of seagoing vessels will come into force at a later date, from 17 December 2028. Once in effect, the Regulation will be fully binding and directly applicable across all EU Member States.

Update 3 December 2025:

The amendment introducing the “stop the clock” mechanism was published in the Official Journal of the European Union as Regulation (EU) 2025/2439 on 3 December 2025. The act was signed on 26 November 2025 and enters into force on the twentieth day after publication, meaning it becomes legally binding on 23 December 2025.

With its publication, the postponement of the revised CLP Regulation’s application date to 1 January 2028 is formally confirmed. The delay covers obligations related to re-labelling, formatting rules for labels, advertising, distance sales, refill stations and fuel pump labelling. The harmonised 2028 date now applies across all affected provisions, ensuring a single starting point for compliance.

Update 23 October 2025:

The European Parliament has today approved the postponement of the revised CLP Regulation’s application date to 1 January 2028, confirming the text previously endorsed by the Council on 24 September 2025. The file was handled under the urgent procedure to speed up adoption, and the vote passed with 441 in favour, 108 against and 11 abstentions.

To enter into force, the draft law now requires formal approval by the Council, after which it will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The postponement covers obligations related to re-labelling, label formatting, advertising, distance sales, and fuel-pump labelling, easing the transition for companies.

Original News:

On 24 September 2025, the European Council approved the introduction of a “stop-the-clock” mechanism for the revised Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation. The measure, part of the Commission’s Omnibus VI simplification package, delays the entry into application of the new rules to 1 January 2028.

Purpose: Legal Certainty and Simplification

The mechanism is designed to provide legal certainty for businesses and to avoid a fragmented regulatory framework. Without the postponement, different provisions of the revised CLP would have applied on different dates, creating additional compliance challenges for companies.

The alignment of deadlines covers obligations on:

• Relabelling of substances and mixtures
• Formatting requirements for labels
• Advertisements and distance sales
• Labelling at fuel pumps

By postponing these obligations, the European Council aims to give companies, particularly SMEs, more time to adapt to the new requirements while ensuring continued protection of health and the environment.

Background: Original Deadlines

The revised CLP Regulation entered into force on 10 December 2024, with the majority of obligations initially scheduled to apply from 1 July 2026, and some provisions from 2027 (see more details here). The “stop-the-clock” mechanism shifts all these dates to 1 January 2028, creating a single, harmonised starting point for compliance.

Next Steps in the Legislative Process

Following the European Council’s approval, negotiations will continue with the European Parliament to finalise the regulation. The measure forms part of the broader Omnibus VI package, which seeks to simplify EU chemicals legislation while maintaining high levels of health and environmental protection.