The Department of the Environment is proposing to add microbeads to the List of Toxic substances. The initiation is to the development of proposed regulations under CEPA 1999 to prohibit the manufacture, import, sale and offer for sale of microbead-containing personal care products that are used to exfoliate or cleanse. Microbeads are defined as synthetic polymer particles that, at the time of their manufacture, are greater than 0.1 µm and less than or equal to 5 mm in size and are used in many products, including personal care products such as soaps, facial cleansers and toothpaste.
Because of potential environmental concerns, the Government of Canada has prioritized the review of microbeads. As a result, a report has been produced which summarizes the state of the science and describes the potential impacts of microbeads on the environment, and a section 71 notice under CEPA 1999 has been published.
The Notice applies to any person who, during the 2014 calendar year, satisfied any of the following criteria:
- Imported a total quantity greater than 10 kg of microbeads in a mixture or product intended to be applied to the human body for the purpose of exfoliating or cleansing that are used in such a way that the may be released to water.
- Exported a total quantity greater than 10 kg of microbeads in a mixture or product intended to be applied to the human body for the purpose of exfoliating or cleansing that are used in such a way that the may be released to water.
- Used a total quantity greater than 10 kg of microbeads in the manufacture of a mixture or product intended to be applied to the human body for the purpose of exfoliating or cleansing that are used in such a way that the may be released to water.
The reporting threshold is based on activity with microbeads (i.e. the import, export or use) of greater than 10 kg in the 2014 calendar year.
Responses to the Notice must be provided no later than October 15, 2015, 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time using the online reporting system available through the Chemical Substances Web site.
Guidance for responding to the Notice with respect to microbeads in certain personal care applications is available here.
For more details contact:
Minister of the Environment, to the attention of:
Substances Management Coordinator
Chemicals Management Plan
Gatineau QC, K1A 0H3
E-mail: Substances@ec.gc.ca