Concerns about microplastics and litter in the environment have been raised at both global and regional (Arctic Council, EU, OSPAR, Nordic Council) levels. The Working Group on Marine litter plastics and microplastics and its POPs and EDC 1 components: challenges and measures to tackle the issue (Gallo et al., 2017) discussed the potential impacts of marine plastics on marine biodiversity and human health (November 2016).The Nordic Council of Ministers' declaration (2017) on reducing the environmental impacts of plastics states that the Nordic countries aspire to be driving forces in efforts to promote a sustainable approach to the production, use, waste management, and recycling of plastics, and the council has decided to launch a program to follow up on this issue.The Fairbanks Declaration from the Arctic Council (2017) notes "(…) growing concerns relating to the increasing levels of microplastics in the Arctic and potential effects on ecosystems and human health.

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