Microplastics are becoming a major regulatory concern for the packaging industry, and a new Smithers webinar will focus on how current and emerging rules in the United States and European Union may affect producers, suppliers and brand owners. The session, titled Little Particles, Big Problems? Microplastics Webinar Series: Packaging, will take place on June 16, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT.

The webinar forms part of Smithers’ multi-part microplastics series and will feature Lynn L. Bergeson, Lindsay A. Holden, Ph.D., DABT, L. Claire Hansen and Catherina D. Narigon of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. The discussion will examine microplastic regulatory management as it applies specifically to packaging, with attention to both existing obligations and likely future developments.

For packaging companies, microplastics are no longer only an environmental debate. They are becoming a compliance, product stewardship and market access issue.

Packaging is under scrutiny because it is one of the most visible uses of plastics in the economy. Films, closures, coatings, labels, bags, trays and multilayer structures can all contribute to concerns about plastic fragmentation, abrasion, shedding or end-of-life pollution. While not every packaging format creates the same risk, regulators are increasingly asking how plastic materials behave across their full lifecycle.

The European Union has been moving rapidly on plastic pollution, chemicals policy and packaging waste. Existing and emerging frameworks are pushing companies to consider recyclability, substance restrictions, material transparency and environmental persistence. Microplastics are now part of that wider policy environment, creating new uncertainty for manufacturers using polymer-based packaging components.

In the United States, the regulatory landscape is more fragmented. Federal chemical management, state-level packaging legislation, extended producer responsibility programmes and litigation risk all shape how companies assess microplastic-related obligations. For producers selling across multiple states or exporting to Europe, this creates a complex compliance map.

• Packaging design may need to account for particle generation and material durability.
• Material selection could be affected by future microplastic restrictions or disclosure rules.
• Supply chain data will become more important for substantiating compliance claims.
• End-of-life performance will be scrutinised alongside recyclability and waste leakage.
• Global brands will need strategies that work across both U.S. and EU regulatory systems.

The webinar is especially relevant for companies that produce, specify or sell plastic packaging. It may also interest converters, resin suppliers, retailers, food-contact material specialists, sustainability teams and legal departments responsible for product stewardship. As microplastics regulation develops, the technical and legal teams inside packaging companies will need to work more closely together.

One challenge is definition. The term microplastics can cover different particle sizes, material types and sources depending on the regulatory context. Some policies focus on intentionally added microplastics, while others address secondary microplastics formed from degradation or fragmentation. Packaging stakeholders need to understand which definitions apply to their products and markets.

Another challenge is evidence. Regulators, customers and consumers increasingly expect environmental claims to be supported by data. Companies may need to evaluate testing methods, supplier documentation, degradation behaviour and lifecycle information. Without reliable data, it becomes difficult to defend product choices or respond to customer questionnaires.

For packaging innovation, the topic creates both pressure and opportunity. Materials with improved durability, reduced shedding, better recyclability or lower environmental persistence could gain competitive value. At the same time, alternative materials must be assessed carefully to avoid replacing one problem with another, especially in food, healthcare and other sensitive applications.

The Smithers session also reflects a broader shift in packaging compliance. The industry is moving from simple end-product declarations toward deeper material governance. Companies are being asked to understand not only what a package is made from, but how it performs during use, disposal, recycling and potential environmental exposure.

Microplastics will likely remain a fast-moving topic. Regulatory requirements may change as scientific methods improve and public pressure grows. Packaging companies that begin mapping exposure now will be better prepared to adapt designs, update documentation and engage customers with credible information.

The key message is clear: microplastic risk cannot be managed only at the end of the packaging lifecycle. It must be considered in material choice, product design, supplier qualification, claims management and regulatory monitoring. For an industry already navigating recyclability, carbon reduction and packaging waste rules, microplastics add another layer of complexity that demands early attention.