Cosmetics manufacturers urged to stop use of platic microbeads in products

The Personal Care Association has urged cosmetics and personal care manufacturers to stop the use of plastic microbeads in their wash off products as these microbeads find their way into the waterways and negatively impact the marine environment.

Several brands have already taken steps to discontinue the use of plastic microbeads in exfoliating and cleansing products.

This announcement is being made to involve the industry at large and facilitate sector wide best practice.

PCA’s recommendation has also been supported by Cosmetics Europe.

Cosmetics Europe president Loïc Armand said: "In adopting this Recommendation, Cosmetics Europe and its membership are addressing public concerns, and committing to work with regulators on a science based approach to the issue of plastic micro particles.

"We are also committed to building, with other international associations, global alignment of the cosmetics industry on this issue."

Plastic microbeads are finding their way into waterways and impacting the marine environment is not a new issue but it is being debated increasingly in the recent times.

According to Germany’s federal environment agency, scientific evidence shows that majority of small plastic particles in the seas come from the broken down particles of bigger plastic materials.