New Report: Micro plastic should be limited in more products

• Sweden European Union

• Consumer products Plastics Microplastics Regulatory Cosmetics Endocrine disruptors

In order to protect the environment, further restrictions on micro-plastic in cosmetic products and other chemical products are required. This is evidenced by a new report from the Swedish Chemicals Agency. At the present time, the Authority is of the opinion that continuing work should primarily take place at EU level.

In February this year, the government decided on a Swedish ban on micro-plastic in cosmetic products rinsed or spotted. The ban, based on a previous report by the Chemicals Inspectorate, will start on July 1, 2018. The determined restrictions apply to microplastics added in, for example, shower soap or toothpaste to have a scrubbing, cleaning or polishing effect.

The Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate has, on behalf of the government, investigated whether there is micro-plastic in additional cosmetic products and chemical products other than those covered by the forthcoming prohibition. The purpose has been to investigate whether an expanded ban on micro-plastic in Sweden is required. The Chemicals Inspectorate has reported the investigation in a report that has been submitted to the government.

At present, the Chemicals Agency wants to work primarily to introduce further restrictions on microplasts in cosmetic products and other chemical products at EU level. The European Commission has commissioned the European Chemicals Agency Echa to investigate such restrictions. Work in the EU to develop a substrate for limiting microplasts by the chemical legislation Reach was launched in January this year.

"Work at EU level has the potential to lead to clear and unified rules that help protect the environment against microspheres. We will actively participate in the process of developing EU legislation, "says Dag Lestander, investigator at the Chemicals Inspectorate. 

CONTINUE READING ON www.kemi.se (Automatically translated from Swedish)