In June 2017 the European Commission launched a public consultation to collect the views of stakeholders and citizens with regard to the policy options to reduce microplastics entering the marine environment.

Microplastics pollution is an issue of growing concern for citizens and for public water operators. The action undertaken by the European Commission to limit the release of microplastics into the environment can therefore only be welcomed. Nevertheless, in order to truly effective, any strategy aiming at reducing microplastics pollution needs to be based on the polluter-pays at reduction at source principles.