New European Union Microplastics Ban to Affect Toymakers

September 26, 2023 | The European Commission yesterday adopted measures that restrict microplastics under the European Union REACH chemical legislation. The new regulations will immediately affect toymakers that use glitter in their products (along with other products that fall under the scope for microplastics, such as microbeads). The regulation is anticipated to be published soon in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), and the 20-day implementation period will begin from that publication date.

The adopted restriction utilizes a broad definition for microplastics, covering mixtures and substances that are or contain synthetic polymer particles below five millimeters that are organic, insoluble, and resist degradation. Although there are some extensions for the implementation timeline of the new measures, they are limited to a few specific applications (including certain cosmetics), resulting in all other cases effectively being subject to an immediate ban. Click here for the full regulation.

The microplastics ban is part of the Commission’s stated efforts to protect the environment. In its Zero Pollution Action Plan, adopted in May 2021, the Commission set 2030 as a target date to reduce microplastics pollution by 30 percent.

Additional information is available here.

Questions from members may be directed to The Toy Association’s Jos Huxley, senior vice president of technical affairs.