Answer for question E-001389/25

EN E-001389/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission (17.6.2025) The Ambient Air Quality Directive1 entered into force on 10 December 2024. It does not include specific references to microplastics. However, provisions regulating particulate matter concentrations have become more stringent, thus requiring the Member States to take the appropriate measures to reduce overall particulate matter concentrations. Also, the Commission should regularly review the scientific evidence related to pollutants, their effects on human health and the environment with first review carried out by 31 December 2030. Under EU legislation on occupational safety and health, employers are required to assess all occupational risks to the health and safety of their workers, and to take the measures necessary for the prevention of these risks and the protection of their workers2. This includes risks arising from exposure to microplastics at the workplace. The Industrial Emissions Directive3 provides a legal basis for Member States to include emission limit values for airborne microplastics in industrial permits, particularly when emissions are scientifically recognised as harmful and likely to occur. The Commission is supporting the development of harmonised methodologies for monitoring microplastics and the establishment of threshold exposure levels for different sources. For tyres, EURO 7 Regulation4 provides for abrasion limits to be set for passenger car (type...