28 juni 2021///////

A landmark decision on microplastics

Unearthed <unearthed@act.greenpeace.org.uk>

Good afternoon, Emma here.

We’ve got a new investigation out this morning, about a fight over international regulation of the chemicals in plastic waste.

We’ve obtained documents showing that lobby groups representing the world’s biggest oil and chemical companies – including Exxon, Shell, BP and Dow Chemical – have been pushing back against a landmark proposal at the Stockholm Convention, the UN’s global treaty on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), to regulate a plastic additive called UV-328.

It is one of numerous chemicals added in the plastic manufacturing process which some scientists are now concerned could spread far and wide via microplastics, posing potential risks to wildlife, human health or the environment.

You can read, and share, the story here

The inclusion of UV-328 in the Stockholm Convention would lead to bans on its production and use. European and American trade groups are worried that the proposal could set a significant precedent – and so it seems is the US environmental regulator.

In April 2019 – during the Trump administration – a senior official from the US EPA wrote to the American Chemistry Council (ACC): “Wow – that’s quite a precedent. Holy moly.”

The ACC replied: “we’ve seen numerous presentations about getting microplastics into Stockholm and it looks like this is the first concrete proposal.”

The EPA official responded: “Welcome to our future.”

The Biden administration appears to still be supporting the industry position – that there is insufficient evidence to justify its listing under the Convention.

The EPA told Unearthed that its views were based on a technical review by scientists, while the European Chemical Industry Council said it would support a ban if it did occur.

Thank you for reading,

Emma