Microbeads regulations

The regulations prohibit, under section 23 of the Waste Minimisation Act 2008, the sale and manufacture of wash-off products that contain plastic microbeads for the purposes of exfoliation, cleaning, abrasive cleaning or visual appearance of the product.

The intent is to capture two types of microbead-containing products.

• Wash-off cosmetics such as facial and body exfoliants, toothpaste and heavy-duty hand cleansers
• Abrasive cleaning products, including household, car or industrial cleaning products.

The reason for the ban is to prevent plastic microbeads, which are non-biodegradable, entering our marine environment. They can harm both marine life and life higher on the food chain including humans.

The decision follows public consultation. A total of 16,223 submissions were received. All the submissions either supported the proposed ban or supported it in part. None were opposed.

Summary of submissions

See also:

• Cabinet paper: Prohibiting the sale and manufacture of wash-off products containing plastic microbeads
• Regulatory Impact Statement: Wash-off products containing microbeads

For information on what the ban means for manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and the public.

Visit Microbeads ban: is your product affected? [Environmental Protection Agency website]