BRUSSELS—The Pew Charitable Trusts said it was pleased that the EU has included curbs to microplastic emissions from tyres in its newly adopted vehicle emission standards, known as Euro 7—legislation that establishes, for the first time anywhere in the world, a legal framework to restrict such emissions. (Other legislation to date has targeted only vehicle exhaust emissions.)
Dust shed by tyres generates 450,000 metric tonnes of microplastic—particles of plastic that are less than 5mm in size—per year in the EU, making tyre particles the second-largest quantified source of microplastic pollution in the bloc, after paint. Once released into the air, ground and waterways, these particles are almost impossible to remove and can leach harmful chemicals into the environment, affecting the health of people and ecosystems.
The Euro 7 regulation contains provisions to tackle microplastic pollution from tyres used by passenger vehicles, as well as tyres used by light- and heavy-duty vehicles such as lorries and buses, by establishing a legal framework for the EU to enact abrasion limits for tyre particle emissions.
Under the legislation, methods to test tyre abrasion—which are currently being developed at the United Nations World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulation (UN WP.29)—will be used to introduce binding emission limits for tyres sold on the EU market, with the goal of agreeing to limits in June 2026 for passenger car tyres; March 2028 for light commercial vehicles; and March 2030 for heavier commercial vehicles, lorries and buses. If the UN process is delayed beyond these timelines, the EU would be empowered to adopt abrasion limits for all vehicle types at the EU level before the end of 2030.
Natacha Tullis, an officer with Pew’s preventing ocean plastics project, issued the following statement:
“By regulating the often-overlooked problem of microplastic pollution from tyre particles, the EU has taken an important first step: It’s demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding citizens’ health and protecting the environment from microplastics. However, as it is crucial to ensure that all vehicles rapidly abide by tyre abrasion limits, it is disappointing that the timeline for their application is longer than initially proposed.
“As vehicles get heavier due to electrification, tyre-related pollution is set to increase, with estimates that by 2050, 90% of particulate emissions from road transport in Europe will originate from non-exhaust sources—predominantly tyres and brakes. Now policymakers and industry representatives engaged at the UN level should develop testing methods and agree on limits as soon as possible. We urge them to be ambitious and remain laser-focused to ensure swift implementation of limits with no delays.
“Though decisive action is still needed within this legislative mandate on other major sources of microplastic pollution to deliver on the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan target to reduce microplastic pollution by 30% by 2030, the Euro 7 legislation is significant progress towards this goal.
“The EU’s decision serves as a valuable blueprint for other regions and jurisdictions. We hope it will inspire action on tyre emissions in countries around the world and at the global plastic treaty negotiations as governments consider how to tackle the ever-growing problem of microplastic pollution.”
Founded in 1948, The Pew Charitable Trusts uses data to make a difference. Pew addresses the challenges of a changing world by illuminating issues, creating common ground, and advancing ambitious projects that lead to tangible progress.