Background
To effectively address plastic pollution, we need to focus on “turning off the tap”, giving priority to reducing plastic usage, exploring alternatives, and innovating product and material designs.1,2 Substantial systemic changes aimed at reducing, substituting, and recycling could effectively tackle approximately 70% of the world’s plastic management.3 In the revised draft treaty text,4 Part II element 3 emphasises problematic and avoidable plastics, aiming to establish criteria for specific products and categories, including intentionally added microplastics. There is a need to develop global standards, annexes, and protocols for various products or groups of products, such as ‘plastic products’, ‘intentionally added microplastics’, ‘avoidable’ products eligible for phase-out, and ‘problematic’ items subject to reduction measures.