New Zealand has just transmitted to WTO a consultation document aimed to manage microbeads in personal care products. The Government is considering to prohibit or control the manufacture and sale of cosmetics containing microbeads. This measure is planned to enter into force in 2018.
Notification date
8 March 2017
Products covered
Personal care products containing microbeads that are rinsed off, for example body scrubs, facial cleaners, and toothpastes
Title of the notified document
Managing microbeads in personal care products: Consultation document (23 pages, in English)
Content
The New Zealand Government is considering making regulations under section 23(1)(b) of the Waste Minimisation Act (WMA) 2008 to prohibit or control the manufacture and sale of personal care products containing microbeads in New Zealand.
The proposal does not address controls around the importation or exportation of such products, nor does it consider regulation or controls of other products or sources of microplastics.
The New Zealand Government proposes that, should the proposed new regulations under the WMA be progressed through the necessary government process, they could enter into force in 2018.
For comments received in response to this notification, the closing date for submissions, as specified in the consultation document, is extended to 60 days from the date of this notification.
Objective
Environmental protection, marine ecosystem - Protection of animal or plant life or health
Proposed date of adoption
To be determined
Proposed date of entry into force
2018
Final date for comments
60 days from notification
For further information
• See the
Managing microbeads in personal care products: Consultation document
, New Zealand Ministry for the Environment, 2017
