Danish delivery warmly welcomes new EU regulations to increase transportation of safe plastic pellets by sea
Future steps for a cleaner sea: The European Union has taken pioneering steps in global environmental leadership by adopting binding rules to increase safe plastic pellets transportation – both on land and at sea.
This is a major problem if a large number of small plastic beads, known as plastic pellets, end at sea. This is a form of plastic pollution that is very difficult to clean.
This is an important step forward that the European Union has adopted binding rules to secure safer plastic pellet transportation.
The rules have a strong focus on the prevention, detention, and cleansing of effective spills. This is what we have asked for. I am happy that the rules of strengthening environmental protection while avoiding excessive administrative burdens in the maritime sector, which ensures shipping in the EU and non-EU.
Most importantly, the regulation introduces specific obligations for sea ships that carry plastic pellets, fully in harmony with IMO recommendations. These steps reiterate the commitment of the shipping industry for sustainability and support the coherent international regulation framework.
Denmark shipping is very welcoming the openness of regulations for future development. If the IMO adopts additional global steps to overcome sea pollution from plastic pellets spills, the EU framework is designed to develop accordingly.
What happened next – the main provisions and schedule
For maritime transportation, special requirements will apply:
Plastic pellets must be packaged in high quality and closed containers.
Clear and accurate information about content must be provided.
Packaging must include warning labels and pictograms, or this must be entered on the accompanying safety data sheet.
Strict storage instructions must be followed.
If there is an accidental or incidental spill, emergency services must be notified immediately, and all the necessary actions must be taken to reduce environmental damage and prevent recurrence.
The regulation came into force 20 days after publication in the official journal of the European Union. For maritime transportation, the rules will be valid 36 months after entering to apply.
Source: Danish delivery
