Microbead ban confirmed for cosmetic products

The UK Government has confirmed that it will be banning microbeads from use in “rinse-off” products, following a recent consultation on its proposals.

The Marine Conservation Society has campaigned for a ban on microbeads for several years, and worked together with the Environmental Investigation Agency, Fauna & Flora International, and Greenpeace UK over the past 18 months. Confirmation of the ban will go a long way towards stemming the flow of damaging microplastic ingredients into our seas and oceans, and will also help consumers who do not want to be adding to pollution when they use cosmetic and beauty products.

Manufacture of products covered by the scope of this ban will be required to end by 1st January 2018, with the ban on sale coming into force on 30th June 2018.

However, there are many products not contained within the scope of this ban that contain microplastic ingredients and enter the aquatic environment. The Government has announced that it will work to gather the evidence needed to decide whether the scope of the ban should be extended, and it is hoped that industry will help with this process and be transparent about the ingredients that they are using.

Dr Laura Foster, MCS Head of Pollution says: “We’re delighted that the government has confirmed that they are going ahead with this ban following their recent consultation. It is a hugely important first step. However, there are lots of products that are not included in the ban which will continue to be made and sold that contain microplastic ingredients. The next step should be to consider extending the scope of the ban to more products such as suncreams and make-ups that are in common use.”

Find out more at www.mcsuk.org