Legislation and Policy on Pollution Prevention and the Control of Marine Microplastics
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Legislation and Policy Dilemma of Marine Microplastic Pollution Prevention and Control
2.1. The Source of Marine Microplastic Pollution Is Extensive, and It Is Difficult to Determine the Subject of Legal Regulations
2.2. Prevention and Control Legislation of Marine Microplastics Will Be Challenged by Industries and There May Be Contradictions between Economic Development and Pollution Control
2.3. Cross-Border Pollution Caused by Marine Liquidity Urgently Needs International Cooperation
3. Progress and Models of Legislation and Policy in the Prevention and Control of Microplastic Pollution
3.1. National Legislation and Policy
3.2. Three Models of Legislation and Policy
3.2.1. Model 1: Add or Delete Provisions on the Basis of Existing Laws and Give a Negative Evaluation on the Addition, Production, Sale, and Introduction of Products Containing Microbeads
3.2.2. Model 2: Microbeads Are Directly Identified as “Toxic Substances”, and the Provisions on “Toxic Substances” in the Environmental Protection Legal System Are Applicable to Regulate Relevant Behaviors
3.2.3. Model 3: Guide the Development of the Industry through Policy Documents and Give a Negative Evaluation of the Addition, Production, and Sale of Microbeads
4. Legislation and Policy Suggestions on the Prevention and Control of Microplastic Pollution
4.1. Make Full Use of the Existing International Cooperation Framework to Carry out Marine Microplastic Pollution Prevention and Control
4.2. In the Initial Stages of Domestic Prevention and Control, We Should Continue to Adopt Policy Guidance, and Future Legislation Should Adopt the Methods of “Introduction” and “Transformation”
4.3. Local Governments Should Make the Initial Attempt with the Government as the Main Body and Producers, Consumers, and Other Entities Participating
5. Conclusions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Country or Region | Year | Measures |
---|---|---|
United States | 2015 | Banned the production and sale of cleansing cosmetics with plastic beads in the United States at the federal level (Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015). |
Canada | 2016 | Recognized plastic beads as toxic substances (Environmental Protection Act). |
The United Kingdom | 2017 | Banned cosmetics and cleaning products containing plastic beads. |
New Zealand | 2018 | Banned the addition of plastic beads to personal-care products. |
Northern Ireland | 2018 | Prohibited the use of plastic beads (The Environmental Protection (microbeads) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018). |
France | 2018 | Banned products containing plastic particles. |
Thailand | 2019 | Banned the import, production, and sale of cosmetics containing plastic beads. |
Ireland | 2020 | Banned the use of plastic beads in households and industrial cleaners. |
Documents | Main Purposes |
---|---|
Marine Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China 《中华人民共和国海洋环境保护法》 | The purpose of this law is to prevent and control pollution damage to the marine environment caused by land-based pollutants, coastal engineering construction projects, marine engineering construction projects, dumping waste, ships, and related operations. |
The Regulations Concerning the Prevention and Cure of Pollution Damage of Marine Environment by Pollutants from Land 《中华人民共和国防治陆源污染物污染损害海洋环境管理条例》 | This is formulated in accordance with the Marine Environment Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China to strengthen the supervision and management of land-based pollution sources and prevent land-based pollution from damaging the marine environment. It is applicable to all units and individuals discharging land-based pollutants into the sea within the territory of the People’s Republic of China. |
Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste 《中华人民共和国固体废物污染环境防治法》 | The purpose of this law is to prevent solid waste from polluting the environment. By reducing the generation of solid waste, making full and reasonable use of solid waste, and ensuring the harmless disposal of solid waste, this law aims to prevent and control environmental pollution by solid waste. |
Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention of Vessel-Induced Sea Pollution 《防治船舶污染海洋环境管理条例》 | This regulation is designed to prevent sea pollution by ships. All vessels in the sea areas and harbors under the jurisdiction of the People’s Republic of China shall in no case discharge oils, oil-based mixtures, waste materials, or other toxic substances in violation of the stipulations of the Marine Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China and these regulations. |
The Guiding Catalogue of Industrial Structure Adjustment (2019 Edition) 《产业结构调整指导目录(2019年本)》 | This bans the production of daily-use chemical products containing plastic beads. |
The standard for the Determination of Microbeads in Cosmetics 《化妆品中塑料微珠的测定》 | This specifies the definition, testing standards, and methods of production for microbeads. |
Notice on Solid Promotion of Plastic Pollution Control 《关于扎实推进塑料污染治理工作的通知》 | This specifies the detailed standards for daily-use chemical products containing plastic beads. |
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Li, Y. Legislation and Policy on Pollution Prevention and the Control of Marine Microplastics. Water 2022, 14, 2790. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14182790
Li Y. Legislation and Policy on Pollution Prevention and the Control of Marine Microplastics. Water. 2022; 14(18):2790. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14182790
Chicago/Turabian StyleLi, Yingying. 2022. "Legislation and Policy on Pollution Prevention and the Control of Marine Microplastics" Water 14, no. 18: 2790. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14182790