It's Time for Science-Based Recommendations To Be Used To Inform Action on Plastic Chemicals in the Global Treaty

The unparalleled rise in global plastic production has resulted in widespread pollution and exposure of humans and wildlife to thousands of hazardous chemicals. Many of the chemicals used across the plastics life cycle meet criteria for persistence, bioaccumulation, mobility, and toxicity, characteristics that are used globally to designate chemicals of concern. The majority of these compounds remain unregulated under existing multilateral environmental agreements, warranting further action. In response, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) has mandated the development of an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, for which negotiations began in 2022 and continue with the next meeting set for August 2025 in Geneva. Although current treaty negotiations have begun addressing a short list of plastic chemicals, significant gaps remain. These include a comprehensive perspective on the diversity of plastic chemicals and their related mixture effects, insufficient regulatory mechanisms, lack of chemical transparency and industrial accountability, and reliance on ineffective recycling strategies that reintroduce toxic substances into consumer products and the environment. While regulatory gaps persist, the presence of harmful chemicals in plastics contributes to major public health burdens, with high annual costs. Vulnerable populations—including children, reproductive-aged individuals, and vulnerable communities—face heightened risks. We therefore recommend six critical components for the treaty to effectively reduce the impacts of plastic chemicals: (1) reduction and simplification of polymers and chemicals, (2) safer and sustainable design of plastic chemicals, (3) incentives for change, (4) holistic (full-life-cycle) approaches for alternatives, (5) just and equitable interventions, (6) centering human rights. Group-based regulation should replace individual chemical approaches to prevent regrettable substitutions. Lastly, binding, global obligations, rather than fragmented or voluntary measures, are vital for chemical safety, circularity, and accountability across the plastics life cycle. A strong, effective treaty is a critical opportunity to achieve a safer, more sustainable future for humans and environmental health.