The European Commission has recently adopted a number of initiatives aimed at reducing pollution from synthetic polymer particles (microplastics). Road marking paint, which is known to emit microplastics, is identified as an emission source under the initiative, but is not regulated.
The European Road Federation (ERF) closely follows the discussions, conference reports, scientific articles and political debates on the issue of microplastics and road surfaces. In this initiative, surfaces are included as sources of microplastic emissions. However, there is a big difference between what is called “intentional microplastic emissions” and “unintentional microplastic emissions”.
“Currently, road marking paints are classified as unintentional emissions,” explains Luca Lottero, policy and project specialist at ERF. Microplastics released into the environment from road markings are the result of wear and tear from road traffic and should be considered unintentional emissions, while this regulation aims to reduce the amount of microplastics intentionally added to certain products. Road paint will be exempted from this restriction in the near future, although some point out that it will still emit microplastics to a greater or lesser extent.
”We believe that road markings contribute very little to microplastic emissions,” Lotro said. “They are an important safety feature, while other ‘paints’ are decorative, and future regulations should take this into account.”
In the case of intentionally produced microplastics, the goal is to reduce the amount of microplastics in a product as much as possible. “For unintentionally produced microplastics, the goal is to develop standardization, certification and regulation measures, as well as to harmonize methods for measuring their emissions,” he said.
”So we are not expecting a ‘ban’, but rather more certification from the competent authorities. As for paint specifically, the text on particle loss suggests that further assessments are needed to find the best measures.”
Road markings are essential for a safe, efficient and inclusive motorway system, ensuring the efficient movement of people and goods, reducing accidents and impacts on vulnerable road users and communities. Lotro said it was contributing to the ambitious goal of zero road deaths in Europe by 2050, as set out in the European Commission’s Vision Zero strategy, published in November 2022.
”Therefore, the public benefit of high-quality road markings should be taken into account and the European Commission should not regard them as a decorative coating when developing regulations,” he said.
As noted in the ERF policy brief published in December 2022, “Road Markings and Microplastics”, much of the scientific literature on this topic is riddled with misunderstandings and false assumptions due to the lack of input from industry experts and a lack of empirical data.
The road marking industry is committed to producing environmentally friendly systems while ensuring the highest levels of safety for all road users. The ERF said it remains committed to contributing to the debate, with a particular focus on the views of its members and other industry stakeholders who are relevant to the issue and who are trusted in any research. As Tomáš Burghardt, a researcher in road marking systems at SWARCO, points out, the release of microplastics from abrasion is extremely low. “A recent EU report (https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2779/917472) estimated the contribution of road markings to microplastic pollution at 0.7–1.3, although lobby groups have suggested a wear rate of 30–74%,” he said. “If one were to tally up the results of all the field studies, at wear rates below 5%, the contribution of road markings to microplastic pollution would be less than 0.07%.”
Essentially, the new rules restrict the production and sale of insoluble, non-degradable organic synthetic polymers, either as stand-alone substances or intentionally added to products that release microplastics during use. The definition of microplastics used to set the restrictions is very broad, covering microbeads (particles smaller than 5 mm) and fibrous particles (particles shorter than 15 mm and with a length-to-diameter ratio greater than 3).
The main measure adopted by Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 is to ban the sale of these microplastics themselves or products containing these microplastics (in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.01% by weight in a mixture).
Common products included in the ban include granular infill used in synthetic sports surfaces, which is the largest source of microplastics intentionally added to the environment. The ban will take effect in eight years to give course owners and managers time to switch to alternatives and allow most existing courses to reach their natural lifespan.
The use of microplastics for exfoliation (microbeads) or for producing cosmetics with a specific texture, scent or colour. For cosmetics containing microbeads, the ban will come into effect immediately, while for other cosmetics the transition period will be between four and 12 years, depending on the complexity of the product, the need to change the formulation and the availability of suitable alternatives.
Other affected products include detergents, fabric softeners, glitter, plant protection products, toys, etc. As for the bans on these products, in some cases (such as glitter) the ban will take effect immediately, while in other cases there will be a transition period of several years.
The sales ban does not apply to products that do not emit microplastics or minimise the release of microplastics during use, such as building materials. Products used in industrial settings, in vitro diagnostic devices and some food additives are also exempt from the ban, but manufacturers must provide instructions on how to use and dispose of the products to prevent the release of microplastics.
Likewise, products that are already specifically regulated at EU level, such as medicinal products (for human and veterinary use), food and feed, and food additives, are not covered by the Regulation.
The European Commission hopes that these measures will reduce microplastic emissions by 70%, equivalent to preventing around 500,000 tonnes of such products from being released into the environment over the next 20 years.
Post time: Mar-06-2025