The regulation excluded natural polymers, degraded polymers, soluble polymers, inorganic polymers, microplastics which releases to environment are prevented during intended use, and permanently incorporated into a solid matrix during intended use.
What is Microplastic?
Microplastic was first coined by Richard Thompson in 2004. The European Union defined in REACH Annex XVII entry 78 that plastic of all dimensions under 5mm or length to diameter ration greater than 3 which is under 15mm are Microplastics.
Microplastics usually comes from microbeads in facial scrubs, abrasive particles in sandblasting, synthetic fibers, plastic pellets, plastic particles drugs vectors, and breakdown under weathering, sunlight exposure, and mechanical action.
The hazards of microplastics includes the chemical substances it carries, environmental pollutants adsoebed, biofilms growing on the surface of the microplastics, and finally eventually cause health concerns and ecological disruptions.
Other Regulations related to Microplastics
- United States Microbead-Free Waters Act
- Canada Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations (SOR/2017-111)
- Hong Kong Voluntary Scheme for Phasing Out Microbeads in Personal Care and Cosmetic Products (PCCPs)
CMA Testing Services related Microplastic
CMA Testing has offering ranges of services analyzing microplastic in products, such as Laboratory Methods for Microplastics in the Marine Envrionemnt: Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program. The services CMA Testing provided to help the companies to understand the products specifications and the microplastics contents, ensure the products complies with the current regulations and meet the necessary requirements around the world.