REACH XVII Restriction on Microplastic

The European Commission has published a draft amendment to Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation addressing restrictions on synthetic polymer microparticles (SPMs), commonly referred to as microplastics. The proposal updates elements of Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 and focuses on improving clarity and implementation.
Key proposed changes include expanding exemptions for medicinal products to cover SPMs used in clinical trials and pre-clinical testing. The draft also introduces an exemption for product and process-oriented research and development (PPORD), including activities carried out in hospitals and academic settings. The aim of proposed adjustments is to support the broader goal of reducing environmental emissions of microplastics.