Legislation Proposed to Outlaw Microbeads in Cosmetic Products in California
California Advances Legislation to Extend Microbead Ban in Personal Care Products
California is moving forward with new laws to ban plastic microbeads and glitter in non-rinse-off personal care products and cleaning products. The bill, AB 823, aims to extend the existing ban on rinse-off products, which has been in place for about a decade.
If enacted, the ban would go into effect on January 1, 2029, for plastic microbeads, and January 1, 2030, for plastic glitter. Violations could result in fines up to $2,500 per day. The legislation is currently being considered by the California Senate Appropriations Committee as of August 2025.
The microbead ban in California is part of a larger trend in the United States and globally to address microplastic pollution. Illinois was the first state to pass a microplastics ban in beauty products, paving the way for the 2015 federal Microbead-Free Waters Act. However, this federal act has limitations, as it mostly covers rinse-off products and does not cover leave-on cosmetics or glitter.
State bills like California's AB 823 are attempting to fill this gap by regulating more product categories. The impacts of microbead bans include environmental benefits, health concerns, industry shift, and regulatory momentum.
Environmentally, reducing plastic microbeads prevents them from entering waterways, aquatic ecosystems, drinking water, and ultimately the human food chain. Health-wise, studies have detected microplastics in human tissues, raising concerns about potential adverse health effects.
The industry is shifting towards natural exfoliants, such as sugar, pumice, mineral salts, and volcanic clay, which do not pose microplastic pollution risks and reduce skin irritation. Regulatory momentum is also growing, with California developing a Statewide Microplastics Strategy and the EU imposing strict reporting and limits for microplastics use.
Globally, some countries like South Africa have implemented outright bans on microbeads and products containing them across cosmetics and other products. This trend towards tighter controls worldwide is a promising step towards reducing plastic pollution in ecosystems and potentially human health risks.
While the new laws in California do not directly address environmental issues, they may have indirect impacts. For instance, one tube of facial scrub can release billions of microbeads that slip through water treatment facilities, contributing to microplastic pollution.
In summary, microbead bans in California and other states are evolving from partial bans on rinse-off products towards encompassing more product categories, reflecting growing environmental and health concerns about microplastic pollution. These bans have spurred innovation towards safer alternatives in cosmetics and contribute to reducing plastic pollution in ecosystems and potentially human health risks.
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