APAC Regulations on Plastic Microbeads in Cosmetic Products

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles less than 5 mm, commonly used in rinse-off personal care products such as toothpaste, facial scrubs, shampoos, soaps, and body washes. These particles are persistent and bioaccumulative in the ecosystem, posing significant challenges to marine environments and food chains connected to them.

Many countries worldwide have banned or are working to ban microbeads in cosmetics. This article explores the definitions and policy requirements regarding plastic microbeads in cosmetic regulations across APAC countries and regions.

1. Overview of Microbeads’ Definitions and Policies in APAC Countries/Regions

2. Detailed Requirements

1) Chinese Mainland

On October 30, 2019, China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued the Catalogue of Guidance on Industry Structure Adjustment (2019 Version), which took effect on January 1, 2020. The Guidance stipulated a category of industries to be eliminated, including daily chemical products containing plastic microbeads, whose production was set to be prohibited by December 31, 2020, and sales to be prohibited by December 31, 2022.

In July 2020, NDRC released a Notice on Making Solid Progress in Plastic Pollution Treatment, outlining scope of "daily chemical products containing plastic microbeads." This includes rinse-off cosmetics (such as shower gel, facial cleanser, scrub, shampoo, etc.) as well as toothpaste and tooth powder that intentionally contain solid plastic particles smaller than 5 mm for scrubbing, exfoliation, or cleaning, etc. purposes.

2) Taiwan, China

In August 2017, Taiwan released an Announcement on Restrictions on Manufacture, Import and Sales of Cosmetics and Personal Cleaning Products containing Microbeads. According to the announcement, the manufacture and import of microbead-containing shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers and makeup removers, soaps, facial scrubs, and toothpastes were prohibited starting January 1, 2018, with sales banned starting July 1, 2018.

3) South Korea

According to the revised Regulation on Safety Standards, etc. for Cosmetics, the production of cosmetic products containing plastic microbeads was prohibited starting July 1, 2017, with sales banned starting July 1, 2018. The types of products affected by the ban are listed in the table below.

On June 5, 2023, the Environment and Labor Committee proposed the Special Act on Microplastic Reduction and Control. This proposed legislation aims to create a comprehensive framework for addressing microplastics, which includes conducting surveys on their usage, emissions, and reduction strategies.

In this draft Act, microplastics are defined as solid plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in diameter that are insoluble in water. Based on the generation methods, they can be further categorized into primary and secondary types. Besides, specific obligations for businesses are clarified.

Under the proposed Act, the import and manufacture of products containing primary microplastics that exceed safety standards, and those may directly expose users to microplastics, are prohibited. Additionally, the sale, manufacture, and import of plastic products, as well as electrical and electronic items that are likely to release secondary microplastics above permitted emission limits during their lifecycle, are also banned.

The Act is currently in draft status and awaiting finalization.

4) Indonesia

On August 22, 2019, Indonesia banned plastic microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics. This ban was part of the revised Technical Requirements for Cosmetic Ingredients, in which most amendments aligned with those adopted during the 28th ASEAN Cosmetic Scientific Body (ACSB) Meeting.

5) Thailand

In December 2019, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) announced a ban on the production, import, and sale of rinse-off cosmetics that contain plastic microbeads. This ban, which took effect on January 1, 2020, was implemented due to growing concerns about the detrimental impact of microbeads on the marine environment and the potential disruption to associated food chains.

6) India

In 2017, BIS issued Amendment No.2 to IS 4707 (Part 2): 2017 Classification of Cosmetic Raw Materials and Adjuncts – Part 2: List of Raw Materials Generally Not Recognized as Safe for Use in Cosmetics, which added plastic microbeads to the banned list (Annex A, Entry 1373). Ingredients listed in Annex A of IS 4707 (Part 2) are prohibited in cosmetic formulations. Since November 10, 2017, the Amendment No.2 took effect. As a result, companies targeting the Indian market should avoid using plastic microbeads in rinse-off products meant for cleansing or exfoliation to ensure compliance.

7) New Zealand

According to the Waste Minimisation (Microbeads) Regulations 2017, New Zealand prohibited the manufacture and sale of wash-off products containing plastic microbeads for exfoliation, cleaning, and visual enhancement, effective June 7, 2018.

This prohibition targets two categories of products:

1. Wash-off cosmetics, including facial and body exfoliants, toothpaste, and heavy-duty hand cleansers;

2. Abrasive cleaning products for household, automotive, or industrial use.

The following items are not banned:

• Personal hygiene products with natural particles, such as ground nutshells or pumice;

• Medicines and medical devices intended for direct therapeutic use;

• Goods produced in or imported from Australia that are lawfully sold there, recognized under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997;

• Microbeads, including glitter, in wipe-off products like cosmetic makeup;

• Microbeads, including glitter, sold as craft materials.

8) Hongkong SAR, China

On September 1, 2021, Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department (EPD) officially launched the Bye Bye Microbeads Charter. Through this two-year voluntary phase-out scheme, the trades are encouraged to stop the production, importation and sale of PCCPs containing microbeads.

The charter covers rinse-off PCCPs such as exfoliators and those for hair, body, facial and oral care. Participating PCCP manufacturers and importers can set their targets and timetables for phasing out microbeads. Brands that join the charter are listed on a thematic website and receive a logo and certificate for display.

On December 15, 2023, EPD reported progress of the charter, noting that PCCPs containing microbeads had nearly disappeared from the retail market in Hongkong. While legislative regulation is not being considered in the near future, EPD will continue to promote awareness and education to encourage the industry to avoid using plastic microbeads in rinse-off PCCPs.

9) Japan

Japanese law does not explicitly regulate microbeads, leaving it to companies to self-regulate due to the absence of specific penalties.

• In 2016, the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association (JCIA) urged its members to voluntarily limit the use of microbeads;

• In 2018, the Act for Partially Amending the Act on Promotion of Disposal of Coastal Drift Debris was enacted. This Act instructs that businesses and manufacturers reduce or eliminate microplastic use in their products, particularly in cosmetics and personal care items. However, Japan has not implemented a ban on cosmetics containing microplastics, thus doesn’t have relevant penalties;

• The Ministry of the Environment's Plastic Resource Recycling Strategy, published in May 2019, emphasized the need to significantly reduce microbeads in rinse-off scrub products by 2020. Following this, a 2020 survey assessed the presence of microplastic beads in various products, including rinse-off scrubs, body care items, and mouthwashes. Out of products surveyed, none contained microbeads.

10) Australia

1. Federal Level

A voluntary agreement to phase out microbeads in rinse-off personal care, cosmetics, and cleaning products—known as BeadRecede—has been in effect across Australia since 2017. The phase-out is led by Accord Australasia (Accord) through their BeadRecede campaign, with oversight from the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

Additionally, the 2019 National Waste Policy Action Plan includes a commitment from businesses and governments to eliminate 100% of microbeads from the targeted rinse-off products. A 2020 survey of relevant products found that 99.3% were free of microbeads, with the remaining 0.7% consisting of products from discontinued product lines and unauthorized parallel imports. As a result, the goal of phasing out 100% of microbeads, as outlined in the Action Plan, has been marked as Delivered, indicating its completion.

Accord will continue to ensure that products remain microbead-free through their ongoing monitoring and assurance program.

2. State Level

At the state legislative level, four Australian states—NSW, ACT, WA, and QLD—have enacted laws banning the supply of rinse-off personal care and cleaning products containing microbeads.

For comprehensive information of cosmetic compliance requirements in Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea, including regulatory framework, market entry, import process, as well as labeling and claims provision, ChemLinked highly recommends stakeholders to check our newly launched online course - The Ultimate Guide to Cosmetic Regulatory Compliance in Southeast Asia, Japan And South Korea.