What are microbeads?
Microbeads are small pieces of plastic composed of synthetic polymer (mostly polyethylene). These microbeads are safe for the human health; they are non-toxic and non-irritating. In the cosmetic industry, microbeads are used in cleansing products as exfoliating agents.
Microbeads, in cosmetic products, are of concern because of the environmental hazard they are proved to induce. Most of these microbeads are not biodegradable, and therefore can stay for a long time in the water (oceans, lakes) with the risk of being ingested by animals living in the ecosystem. Besides, these microbeads become problematic for human health when they remain in the marine organisms that human eats, such as oysters, mussels, etc.
Australia is currently banning microbeads in cosmetic products
Since 2014 Australia’s federal government is working on an agreement between the cosmetic, personal care and cleaning products industries, on the phasing out of the microbeads by July 2018.
Indeed, that same year, scientific researchers of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science discovered that the microplastic pollution in Sydney Harbour had reached a critical level. Therefore, in November 2014, an expert group comprised of bodies of Australia’s hygiene and cosmetic industries, committed to help curtail the use of microbeads in cosmetic products by the end of 2017.
Deepening Australia’s estrangement from microbeads in cosmetic products, two major Australian supermarket chains – namely Woolworth's and Coles – have decided to stop selling cosmetics containing microbeads, on their own brand products.
Toward a ban of microbeads at EU level?
The Swedish Chemical Agency, “Kemi” has proposed a ban of cosmetic products containing microbeads, and wants for Europe a prohibition of all products containing such elements by January 2018, because of their non-biodegradable nature. However, it admits an exception for microbeads which are biodegradable in aquatic environments.
Kemi recognizes that banning is not enough to protect oceans and lakes, and knows that other measures will have to be taken to ensure the reduction of the pollution by microplastics. Kemi’s experts besides work with the Environmental Protection Agency which is in charge of conducting a report that aims to identify the sources of microbeads emissions, by June 2007.
The Swedish Chemical Agency wants its country to push for a ban of microbeads in cosmetic products at EU level.
As for Denmark, the Danish Minister of Food and Environment has spoken about the necessity to abridge the spread of microplastics, which implies to be able to prevent them from ending up in the aquatic environment, and consequently in the food chain.
EcoMundo's services
Please do not hesitate to contact us: contact@ecomundo.eu, if you have any questions about cosmetic compliance or if you’re looking for specific services. EcoMundo acts as Responsible Person for Europe and can provide the following services:
- Formula review
- Artwork & claim review
- PIF review & Safety Assessment
- CPNP notification
Contact us via phone: for North America please use + 1 (778) 231-1607 or for Europe +33 (0)1 83 64 20 54
