Plastic microbeads banned in Canada by 2018

The country's Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations proposes removing personal hygiene products with plastic microbeads off the shelf by July 2018.

Earlier this year, the US has established a new law banning cosmetic products containing plastic microbeads by July 2017, with the UK doing the same a few months ago.

Now Canada is following suit, with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, or CEPA, proposing the Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations, which will prohibit the sale of toiletries and other personal care products containing plastic microbeads by July 2018.

Under the new regulations, microbeads are defined as "any plastic particle equal to or less than 5mm in size, which can vary in chemical composition, size, shape and density". These are often found in facial scrubs, hair gels and toothpaste.

Meanwhile, prohibitions are also in place for the sale of natural health products and nonprescription drugs that contain the said harmful substance. The target date is July 1, 2019.

The Canadian Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association has stated that most of the local manufacturers using plastic microbeads in 2014 have been gradually phasing out their usage.