EU countries have voted in favour of a proposal to restrict the placement onto the market of microplastics that are intentionally added to products. However, instead of the transitional period of six years for polymeric infill for third-generation synthetic turf the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) had proposed, it has been decided to grant the industry an eight-year grace period.
An Artificial Intelligence machine has questioned the logic behind the proposed ban on polymeric infill. The machine was asked five questions and delivered clear-cut answers, all showing that a ban on the sale of polymeric infill will not be the correct answer to balance the reduction of microplastic pollution with achieving a healthy society.
The decision by the European Commission to recommend the proposed ban on the future sale of polymeric infill and to cold-shoulder the suggestion to make Risk Management Measures mandatory, is not decisive yet. The recommendation still has to be approved by the Council of Europe and the European Parliament before it can pass onto the statute book. Once cleared, the World Trade Organisation also has a say.
