In September 2022, the European Commission finally released the long-awaited draft REACH regulation to restrict the use of intentionally added microplastics in various products.
The new proposal includes residual cosmetics in the scope of the restrictions, covering skin care, perfume and lip care products, and sets a transition period of 6-12 years. Once the new regulations are implemented, this will mean that the EU will ban microplastics completely in all cosmetic products.
For perfume-in and residual cosmetics, the proposal gives a transition period of 6 years. For lip care products, the proposal gives a transition period of 12 years. Many NGOs say this transition period is too long and do not rule out the possibility of adjusting the changes later.
