Ban on microplastics

Do you sell microplastics or products containing microplastics? It is prohibited to sell microplastics of 5 millimetres or smaller.

What are microplastics?

Microplastics are small plastic particles measuring 5 millimetres or less that are not biodegradable. Microplastics are found in various products, for example in:

• loose glitter or loose plastic granules
• cosmetics
• beauty products, such as microbeads for scrubs
• cleaning products
• fertiliser products
• plastic granules for use in plastic sports fields and floors

There are 2 categories of microplastics:

• primary microplastics: microplastics that are intentionally produced to be incorporated into products, for example in cosmetics.
• secondary microplastics: microplastics created from degradation of larger plastic objects, such as plastic bags, bottles, or fishing nets.

Which products are banned?

The ban on microplastics applies to the sale of non-degradable plastic particles measuring 5 millimetres or less, and products containing these types of microplastics. These are primary microplastics. The sale of products to which microplastics are intentionally added is also banned.

The ban applies to the sale of:

• loose glitter
• loose plastic granules
• products containing microbeads, for example for scrubbing or exfoliating