A Strategic Meeting for Shaping the Future of Micro- and Nanoplastics Research and Policy
On January 28, 2025, experts from academia, industry, regulatory bodies, and NGOs gathered at DECHEMA in Frankfurt for the PlasticsFatE Round Table on Micro- and Nanoplastics (MNPs).
This meeting marked an important moment in the project, refining key policy recommendations, standardisation efforts, and regulatory approaches for tackling the complex challenges posed by MNPs.
The event followed the Chatham House Rule, allowing open and constructive discussion. Participants addressed exposure and hazard assessment, human and environmental health risks, industry collaboration, harmonisation of research methodologies, and public engagement.
The outcomes of these discussions will directly inform PlasticsFatE’s forthcoming policy briefs and the CUSP roadmap.
Key Discussions and Outcomes
1. Harmonization and Standardization
A major recurring theme was the urgent need for harmonized protocols in MNP research. Participants identified:
Gaps in reference materials and analytical methods, limiting comparability of studies.
The need for standardized exposure and hazard characterization methods.
A demand for globally coordinated efforts to align regulatory frameworks and scientific methodologies.
2. Understanding Environmental and Human Health Risks
Discussions highlighted:
The necessity of long-term epidemiological studies to assess chronic health risks.
The potential impact of MNPs on the microbiome and human health.
A One Health approach to address interconnected environmental and human health concerns.
3. Decision Support for Risk Assessment
Expansion of decision support systems integrating machine learning and big data analytics.
Developing new methodologies for MNP detection in biological and environmental matrices.
4. Policy and Legislation
The meeting reinforced the need for regulatory advancements, including:
· Support for existing EU policies such as the Drinking Water Directive and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.
· Establishing safe thresholds for microplastics in water, food, and air.
· Recognizing MNPs as chemical pollutants and including them in regulatory frameworks.
5. Exposure and Hazard Assessment
· Calls to prioritize exposure-driven risk assessments rather than purely academic studies.
· Development of suitable biomarkers for human exposure studies.
· Implementation of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles to support research accessibility.
6. Industry and Sustainable Design
· Industry engagement in Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles.
· Collaboration with manufacturers to design plastics that minimize shedding and degradation.
· Investing in biodegradable and non-toxic alternatives to petroleum-based plastics.
7. Public Engagement and Communication
· Strategies for enhancing science communication and combatting misinformation.
· The role of citizen science in increasing public awareness.
· Need for clearer risk communication to policymakers, media, and the general public.
Immediate and Long-Term Priorities
Short-Term Priorities (1-2 Years)
✔ Develop standardized reference materials for MNP detection.
✔ Initiate human biomonitoring where feasible.
✔ Refine policy recommendations based on exposure-driven risk assessments.
✔ Improve science communication and public engagement efforts.
Mid-to-Long-Term Priorities (5-10 Years)
✔ Develop and implement policy frameworks to regulate MNPs effectively.
✔ Strengthen industry collaborations for sustainable product design.
✔ Expand long-term human health studies on MNP exposure.
✔ Enhance wastewater treatment strategies to prevent environmental contamination.
The Role of PlasticsFatE’s Policy Briefs and the Roadmap
The outcomes of the DECHEMA Round Table will feed directly into:
📌 PlasticsFatE Policy Briefs:
· Policy Brief 1: Harmonization and Standardization in Plastic Exposure and Hazard Assessment – Calls for global alignment in MNP research methodologies.
· Policy Brief 2: Human Exposure to Micro- and Nanoplastics – Focuses on ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure pathways, as well as regulatory gaps.
📌 The CUSP Roadmap (2026–2030):
· Defines key research priorities for the next decade.
· Guides the development of EU regulations on MNP risk assessment.
· Supports the implementation of sustainable materials management strategies.
Looking Ahead
The DECHEMA Round Table reaffirmed the need for coordinated action across research, policy, and industry. Moving forward, PlasticsFatE will focus on translating these discussions into actionable policy frameworks, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring that scientific findings inform real-world decisions.
· Stay updated with PlasticsFatE’s policy work and roadmap developments at http://www.plasticsfate.eu
· Follow us on social media for upcoming events, stakeholder consultations, and new research findings.
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