Microplastics Evaluations and Regulatory Support – EU Regulation 2023/2055 - Entry 78 of Annex XVII REACH

ECHA’s Restriction for the Ban of Microplastics 

As part of the European long-term sustainability vision and EU Plastics Strategy, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) introduced a REACH restriction for intentionally added microplastics. Published on 27 September 2023, the EU REACH regulation bans microplastics in products such as cosmetics, detergents, fertilisers, and more.

Since 17 October 2023, the restriction has been in force and bans the placing on the EU market of new products containing microplastics. A phased implementation ensures a smooth transition for industry stakeholders:

• By 17 October 2023: Ban of products containing microbeads
• By 17 October 2027: Ban of Rinse-off cosmetic products containing microplastics
• By 17 October 2029: Ban on Leave-on cosmetic products containing microplastics
• By 17 October 2035: Make-up, lip and nail products with a labelling obligation from 2031

The regulation mentioned derogation cases for which reporting and/or labelling is mandatory :

• By 17 October 2025: mandatory labelling for products benefiting from exemption criterion 5b.
• From 2026: reporting obligations begin for users of plastic pellets.
• From 2027: reporting extended to microplastic manufacturers, industrial site users, and suppliers of exempted products.

This regulatory evolution marks a significant milestone in the transition toward a safer and eco-conscious market, encouraging companies to rethink formulations, adopt biodegradable alternatives, and differentiate through environmental leadership.

Intertek Solutions

Intertek provides a comprehensive range of services for beauty and personal care products to ensure quality, safety, and efficacy, in addition to helping companies understand and comply with regulations around the world. With its comprehensive service offering, Intertek is uniquely positioned to ensure companies understand regulatory changes and meet the requirements to continue importing products to the EU and other key markets such as North America and Asia.

Our experts can conduct microplastic evaluations of your ingredients and help you understand the impact this regulation may have on your products.

Our services include:

• Impact assessment of your products/raw materials portfolio
• Information collection from suppliers of ingredients for microplastics evaluations
• Microplastic evaluation and confirmation for derogation 4a and 5b at ingredient, material and formula
• Optimal monitoring of the project (reminders, monitoring of the completeness of files, etc.)
• Regulatory support (monitoring of derogation cases, reporting support on the IUCLID system)  

To ensure successful market entry into the EU, cosmetic businesses should be aware of the microplastics restriction to ensure their cosmetic product formulas are compliant.

Our team of experts are available to address the regulatory and compliance needs of the cosmetics, home, and personal care industry. If you have any questions or concerns, we’re here to help!

More information about the Microplastics Regulation 2023/2055

A microplastic can be defined as a solid polymer containing particles with dimensions less than 5 mm, to which additives or other substances may have been added*. The regulation 2023/2055 bans the placing on the market of microplastic substances on their own or, where the synthetic polymer microparticles are present to confer a sought-after characteristic, in mixtures in a concentration equal to or greater than 0,01 % by weight. For the cosmetics industry, exemption cases precisely follow this definition and allow to placement on the market substances exempted.

The regulation mentions some derogation cases in order to allow the placing on the market of some ingredients defined as microplastics. In those cases, reporting and labelling are required.

*Definition is available on site de l’ECHA