The European landscape for chemical safety is undergoing a major shift. With the introduction of Commission Regulation (EU) 2023\/2055, better known as the REACH restriction, the European Union has taken a firm stand against synthetic polymer microparticles (SPMs). These tiny plastic particles, often added to products to provide specific textures or controlled-release properties, are now under a strict phase-out mandate. While the law officially began its journey in late 2023, its impact on the biocidal industry is just beginning to surface, creating a long-term countdown for manufacturers and suppliers across the continent.<\/p>\n
For years, many biocidal products\u2014ranging from disinfectants to specialized pesticides\u2014have relied on microplastics to function effectively. A common example is “capsule suspension,” where the active ingredient is encased in a tiny plastic shell to make it last longer or work more efficiently. Under the new rules, these intentionally added microplastics are viewed as a significant environmental risk. The core of the issue is that these particles do not break down easily in nature, leading to long-term pollution. As a result, the REACH restriction effectively declares that any biocidal product containing these particles poses an “unacceptable risk” to our ecosystems.<\/p>\n
However, the authorities recognize that changing a product\u2019s formula isn’t something that happens overnight. Because of this, the regulation provides a generous but firm transitional window. Biocidal products have been granted a specific grace period that lasts until October 17, 2031. This eight-year buffer is designed to give the industry enough time to research, test, and authorize new versions of their products that don’t rely on microplastics. It is a safety net, but it also carries a warning: once we hit that 2031 deadline, the market will close for non-compliant products immediately.<\/p>\n
It is also important to clarify what exactly is being banned. The regulation focuses on synthetic polymers that stay in the environment. This means that if a manufacturer uses natural polymers that haven’t been chemically tampered with, or if the polymers are proven to be biodegradable or water-soluble, they are generally safe from the ban. The restriction also covers “nanomaterials,” which are even smaller particles. This creates a bit of a challenge for companies using simplified authorization processes, as those pathways usually don’t allow for nanomaterials at all. Essentially, the definition of a microplastic is now very broad, catching almost any tiny synthetic particle in its definition.<\/p>\n
Not every single product will be banned, as there are certain “derogations” or exceptions. Some specific uses, like those in medicinal products or certain fertilizers where the risk of leaking into the environment is very low, may be allowed to continue. But even these exempted products won’t get a free pass. Starting in October 2025, any supplier benefiting from an exception must provide very clear instructions for use and disposal. These instructions must explain exactly how the user can prevent any microplastics from escaping into the environment, shifting a greater share of responsibility onto the end-user and the supplier.<\/p>\n
For the rest of the industry, the clock is ticking faster than it seems. The European Commission is urging companies to start the transition to alternatives right now. Developing a new formula, testing its effectiveness, and going through the long process of government approval can take years. If a company waits until 2029 or 2030 to apply for a change, they might find their current authorizations cancelled before the new ones are ready. In fact, if you are applying for a new product authorization today, the regulators are already looking at whether your formula will be legal in 2031. It is no longer enough to be compliant with today’s rules; you must be compliant with the rules of the next decade.<\/p>\n
The consequences of missing the deadline are absolute. On October 17, 2031, any authorization for a biocidal product containing these restricted microplastics will be cancelled. Unlike other regulatory changes, there won’t be a “sell-through” period to get rid of old stock sitting on warehouse shelves. While authorities might allow people who have already bought the product to finish using it, shops will not be allowed to sell it, and companies will not be allowed to distribute it.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, this regulation represents a fundamental change in how biocidal products are made. The industry is being pushed toward a “green chemistry” model where the focus is on performance without persistence. For companies, the task is clear: they must demonstrate that their products are either exempt or entirely free of synthetic microparticles. For those who rely on these materials, the next few years will be a race against time to reformulate, re-test, and re-authorize their products to ensure they still have a place on the European market in the post-2031 era.<\/p>\n
Source: 110th CA meeting, CA-Dec25-Doc.7.8, Note for discussion with member states’ competent authorities for biocidal products<\/em><\/p>\n Secure your transition to microplastic-free biocides with Kaeltia Consulting: contact us today to reformulate and re-authorize your products, ensuring market access well ahead of the 2031 deadline.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The European landscape for chemical safety is undergoing a major shift. With the introduction of Commission Regulation (EU) 2023\/2055, better known as the REACH restriction, the European Union has taken a firm stand against synthetic polymer microparticles (SPMs). These tiny plastic particles, often added to products to provide specific textures or controlled-release properties, are now under a strict phase-out mandate. While the law officially began its journey in late 2023,[…]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23236,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_selected_social_profile":[]},"categories":[68],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaeltia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23239"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaeltia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaeltia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaeltia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaeltia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23239"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kaeltia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23240,"href":"https:\/\/kaeltia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23239\/revisions\/23240"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaeltia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaeltia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaeltia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaeltia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}