{"id":3790,"date":"2025-10-22T16:40:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.planetcare.org\/?p=3790"},"modified":"2025-10-22T16:55:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:55:14","slug":"fighting-microfibers-two-steps-forward-one-step-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.planetcare.org\/de\/fighting-microfibers-two-steps-forward-one-step-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Fighting Microfibers: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What has France\u2014and the rest of the world\u2014really been doing?<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Remember when we were all celebrating France\u2019s bold move to fight microfiber pollution by requiring filters in all new washing machines? Well... fast forward to the second half of 2025, and here\u2019s the truth: not much has changed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 France: Big Promises, No Progress<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

France made headlines when it passed legislation mandating microfiber filters in all new washing machines. It was a moment of hope and a powerful signal to the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as it turns out, that provision in the law has yet to be implemented. Why? Because the regulation depends on specific technical definitions<\/strong>\u2014like what exactly qualifies as a microfiber and what defines a compliant filter. These definitions were never published, and without them, the law remains unenforceable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On paper, France took a leap forward. In practice? It\u2019s still standing still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa What\u2019s Happening in the EU<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The European Union has now taken up the challenge of addressing microfiber pollution across its member states. The idea: create regulations that align with the principles of the European common market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before anything can be mandated, two things are needed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Standardized definitions<\/strong>, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Reliable measurement procedures<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    To that end, a multi-stakeholder group under the International Electrotechnical Committee<\/strong> is currently developing standards to measure fiber shedding and filter efficiency. This work is expected to conclude by the end of 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In parallel, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation<\/strong> for washing machines is under review, with microfiber filtration on the table. That revision process is also expected to finish by late 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No guarantees, but here\u2019s the good news: Microfiber pollution is finally being taken seriously\u2014by lawmakers and manufacturers alike.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 The U.S.: A Veto and a Bill<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In 2023, California<\/strong> nearly passed a bill to require built-in microfiber filters in all new washing machines sold in the state by 2029<\/strong>. The legislation cleared both chambers\u2014but was vetoed by Governor Newsom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    His reasoning? He preferred incentive-based approaches over mandates. Still, he encouraged further efforts by the State Water Board<\/strong>, keeping the door open for future regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On a national level, there\u2019s been movement too:
    In 2025, the Fighting Fibers Act<\/strong> was introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Progress is slow, but the conversation is happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \ud83d\udcf0 Read more about the Fighting Fibers Act<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Two Steps Forward, One Step Back\u2014But Still Moving<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Finally, we should not forget that even an inefficient method of progressing in which we make two steps forward and one backward still takes us where we want to go. Not as fast as it could but still\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s easy to get discouraged by delays and bureaucracy.
    But even a clumsy, uncertain path forward still counts as movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The reality is: change often starts with us<\/strong>. Every single PlanetCare filter in use is a real-world proof<\/strong> that solutions exist\u2014and that people are ready to act before politicians do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We\u2019ve been able to show that our filters work, that people use them, and that microfiber pollution can be stopped\u2014thanks to thousands of users across the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We're actively involved in policy conversations with governments and global standards bodies.
    With your help, we\u2019re making change happen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    Ready to take action?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Get the PlanetCare filter<\/strong> and start stopping microplastics at the source\u2014right from your washing machine. EXPLORE THE <\/a>SOLUTION<\/a> \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Over the years, several\u00a0independent organizations<\/strong>\u00a0across Europe have put our filters to the test\u2014and the results have consistently confirmed our commitment to science-backed impact.\u00a0EXPLORE ALL INDEPENDENT TESTS\u00a0\u2192<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    France passed a law. The EU is drafting standards. The U.S. introduced a bill. So why are microfiber filters still not mandatory? Here's what\u2019s really happening behind the scenes\u2014and why your filter still matters.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":3791,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[197,198],"tags":[223,215,219],"class_list":["post-3790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-microfiber-pollution","category-planetcare-news","tag-france","tag-microfiber-pollution","tag-policy-change"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFighting Microfibers: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back - Filtered by PlanetCare | Home<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.planetcare.org\/de\/fighting-microfibers-two-steps-forward-one-step-back\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"de_DE\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Fighting Microfibers: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back - Filtered by PlanetCare | Home\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"France passed a law. 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