In August 2017, Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) released an announcement “Restrictions on Manufacture, Import and Sales of Cosmetics and Personal Cleaning Products containing Microbeads”, banning the manufacture and import of the listed 6 types of products containing microbeads.
Products within the microbeads banned scope |
Shampoo |
Body wash |
Facial cleansing |
Soap |
Facial scrub |
Toothpaste |
Recently on April 16, 2019, Taiwan EPA released an announcement amending “Restrictions on Manufacture, Import and Sales of Cosmetics and Personal Cleaning Products containing Microbeads” [1]. The main amendments are as follows:
1. Polymer particles such as solid synthetic wax which are less than 5mm in size are newly classified as microbeads (excluding natural polymers).
The definition of natural polymer is also clarified. Natural polymer refers to polymers that naturally exist in the environment. Even if it is chemically processed or treated, or physically mineralized, its chemical structure will not change.
2. Cosmetics and personal cleaning products containing the above polymer particles such as solid synthetic wax are not allowed to be manufactured or imported beginning on Sep. 1st, 2019 and not allowed to be sold beginning on Mar. 1st, 2020.