The European Commission has adopted new rules to ban the addition of microplastics to consumer products. These free glitters are added by manufacturers and present, in particular, in certain makeup products.
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They shine, they appear light, harmless, but the loose glitter will gradually disappear from the shelves from Monday October 16 for environmental reasons. This decision follows six years of discussion and work around microplastics. On September 25, the European Commission adopted new rules to limit the release into the environment of all synthetic plastic particles less than 5 mm, which are not biodegradable.
And loose glitter as well as plastic microbeads contained in certain cosmetics such as exfoliants or scrubs will therefore be the first affected by this ban from Monday.
The objective is to avoid the release into the environment of half a ton of additional microplastics, which are added to the microplastics resulting from the degradation of packaging.
Non-degradable microplastics are found in the body
Other products will be affected subsequently. Within five years, plastic microbeads will also have to disappear from detergents or cleaning products. Within 12 years, we should no longer find traces of it in cosmetic products or makeup. The infill granules for artificial sports fields have a time limit of eight years to disappear. A deadline that may seem distant but the idea is to give manufacturers time to find less polluting alternatives. For glitter, biodegradable versions are coming to market.
The problem with non-degradable microplastics is that they are found everywhere, including in our bodies. Biles have been found in the air, in water, on earth, in the oceans, but also in our bodies and those of animals. Four years ago, a study had already estimated that humans could ingest up to the equivalent of a plastic bank card per week. In 2022, Dutch researchers analyzed blood samples from anonymous donors. All healthy adults, and they found plastic microparticles in 75% of the panel.
It is therefore urgent to monitor this insidious pollution, and to clarify its long-term impact on health. Some laboratory studies have shown that these plastic microparticles can damage human cells.