Recent meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.
Mission & Goals
Fidra is an environmental charity working to reduce plastic waste and chemical pollution in our seas, on our beaches and in the wider environment. Fidra shines a light on environmental issues, working with the public, industry and governments to deliver solutions which support sustainable societies and healthy ecosystems. We use the best available science to identify and understand environmental issues, developing pragmatic solutions through inclusive dialogue.
EU Legislative Interests
European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy and associated work relating to microplastics in the environment including, specifically: Proposal for a Regulation on preventing pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution; Measures to restrict intentionally added microplastics: COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) …/… of 25.9.2023 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards synthetic polymer microparticles. In addition Fidra also has some interest in chemicals such as bisphenols, PFAS and flame retardants but this work is mostly at UK level.
Communication Activities
Proposal for a Regulation on preventing pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution Fidra's Great Nurdle Hunt project focusses work preventing plastic pellet (nurdle) loss from industrial sites activities include: - an annual event (the Great GLOBAL Nurdle Hunt) and ongoing citizen programme (the Nurdle Hunt) where volunteers look for nurdles and log their finds at www.nurdlehunt.org.uk. Data is compiled into annual reports and maps used as evidence of pollution by other NGOs in relation to the policies above, data and reports are available at https://hub.nurdlehunt.org/ - Measures to restrict intentionally added microplastics - Additional communications activities related to plastic and chemicals in the environment: Fidra works on chemical contaminants in the environment including projects calling for changes to chemicals regulations (e.g. PFAS, Bisphenols, Flame Retardants). This work is mostly UK-focused but Fidra has supported communications led by NGOs in Europe and made some contributions on food contact materials and PFAS. For more information see https://www.fidra.org.uk/pfas/ and https://www.fidra.org.uk/projects/bisphenols/ - https://www.surfrider.eu/learn/news/open-letter-plastic-pellet-crisis/ Open letter to members of the European Parliament on the Plastic pellet crisis and proposed EU regulation 16/01/24 - Fidra responded to an ECHA call for evidence https://www.fidra.org.uk/download/evidence-on-aromatic-brominated-flame-retardants/
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
Associate member "Break Free from Plastic" (breakfreefromplastic.org)
Organisation Members
n/a
Connected Legislation
The environment - amendment of 85L0337
Amendment: LIFE Financial Instrument for the Environment (Reg 1655/2000/EC)
Revision of EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme)
Revision of LIFE programme
Biological Diversity
Environment, Security and Foreign Affairs
EU environmental standards vs stricter national norms of 3 new Member States
LIFE Environment Instrument: Amendment to Regulation EEC/1973/92
Environment Implementation Review
Review of Recommendation 2001/331/EC: Environmental inspection criteria
Environmental inspections
Århus Convention application to EU institutions
Access to justice in environmental matters
Environmental information, public participation & justice
Amendment to Regulation (EC) No 1367/2006 on the application of the provisions of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters to Community institutions and bodies
Behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on the protection of the environment through criminal law
Environmental protection through criminal law (replacing Directive 2008/99/EC)
Environmental protection through criminal law
Environmental liability: prevention and remedying of damage
Corporate liability for environmental damage
Decision on combating environmental crime
Directive on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage (the ‘ELD’)
Fight against serious environmental crimes
Decision on behalf of the EC, of an amendment to the Convention on access to information, public participation in decision making and access to justice in environmental matters
LIFE: Romania's participation in environmental financial instrument
Environmental aspects of enlargement negotiations
Extension of LIFE Financial Instrument to 2006 (Amendment: Reg 1655/2000)
Implementation of certain directives on the environment
The environment to take place in SOFIA in October 1995
Alignment of environmental policy reporting obligations
Implementation of environmental directives
Resolution on the Kyoto Conference objectives
G7 Halifax Summit 1995: Environmental considerations