22/09/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 22 September, the EU Council approved the regulation aimed at preventing the loss of plastic pellets into the environment, following provisional agreement with the European Parliament in early April (see EUROPE 13618/12). The regulation introduces specific requirements for the maritime transport of plastic pellets. It also requires that companies will have to implement risk management plans and introduces obligations for clean-up operations in the event of accidental losses. Between 52,000 and 184,000 tonnes of pellets are currently released annually into the environment. Parliament still has to adopt the provisional agreement in plenary session before the new rules come into force. The Council points out that the majority of the provisions in this regulation will start being applicable two years after the entry into force of the text. (FS)