Care cosmetics contain micro-gel beads polluting the ocean. The government plans to launch a two-year voluntary phase-out plan before reviewing it

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Written by: Lao Minyi

2021-05-14 18:46

Last update date: 2021-05-14 18:47

In recent years, the public has become increasingly concerned about the problem of micro-gel beads in personal care and cosmetics.

The Environmental Protection Department today (14) submitted a document to the Legislative Council, stating that it will implement a two-year voluntary phase-out plan first, and review its effectiveness at a later stage of the plan to examine whether it is necessary to further regulate products containing micro-beads.

In addition, the government plans to cooperate with the industry this year to launch the "No Gel Beads Charter" so that participants can decide to stop or reduce the production, import or sales of personal care and cosmetic products containing microbeads according to their operating conditions. The goal and timetable of the company promises to reach the goal within the preset time limit.

In recent years, micro-gel beads have been widely used in personal care products, such as scrub facial cleansers, shower gels, and toothpastes, claiming to have scrub cleansing and exfoliating effects.

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According to the document, the Environmental Protection Department is responsible for the implementation of the "No Micro-adhesive Beads Charter", and its members include personal care and cosmetic product manufacturers, importers (agents/distributors), retailers, beauty salons, industry associations, etc. do not.

Each group will participate according to different business models. For example, manufacturers and importers will take the lead to stop or reduce the production or import of products containing micro-beads; retailers and beauty salons can promote the absence of micro-beads to customers product.

The Environmental Protection Department refers to laws and regulations around the world and listens to the opinions of the industry to define micro-gel beads as "intentionally added to rinse-off personal care and cosmetic products for scrub, exfoliation or cleansing purposes, and solid plastic particles smaller than 5 mm."

The charter will cover scrubs, as well as rinse-off personal care and beauty products for the face, body, hair, and mouth.

The Environmental Protection Department is implementing the plan's implementation plan, product presentation methods, monitoring methods and implementation schedule in accordance with industry opinions.

The diameter of the micro-gel beads is generally less than 1 mm. It may be difficult to see with the naked eye, and it is also difficult to remove them when they fall into the sea. They will be mistakenly swallowed by marine microorganisms as food and affect the ecology.

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The Environmental Protection Department estimates that there are not many products containing microbeads in Hong Kong

A large part of Hong Kong's personal care and cosmetic products relies on imports, and most of the production bases are located in areas where the production of some products containing micro-gel beads has been banned in different ways.

In recent years, some multinational brands and labor unions have voluntarily promised and implemented a plan to phase out micro-gel beads in products, and support the replacement of micro-gel beads with substitutes (such as crystal salt, nut shells), and some retailers have also stopped selling micro-gel beads. Bead products, or gradually reduce the inventory of these products.

As new regulations will be promulgated in many regions and the shelf life of general personal care and cosmetic products is limited, the Environmental Protection Department predicts that there are only a few products containing micro-gel beads in the local market.

The Environmental Protection Department explained that if Hong Kong adopts a legislative route, the process is quite lengthy, involving the establishment of a suitable and clear regulatory model, the establishment of testing standards that do not cause barriers to entry, consultation with industry participants from multiple sectors, and completion of relevant legislative procedures. , And let the industry clean up inventory, etc.

The Hong Kong Government believes that whether it is a transitional plan in the legislative process or in response to strong demands from the society, it is necessary to implement a voluntary phase-out plan to encourage Hong Kong to follow the international trend to replace products containing microplastics and protect the marine ecology.

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