On July 8th, the AB823 bill passed through the Judiciary Committee of the California State Senate, proposing to ban the addition of plastic microbeads in cosmetics, cleaning products, and paints, such as glitter in eyeshadows and nail polish in cosmetics, and soaps and toothpaste in cleaning products. Prior to the Senate, the bill passed in the Assembly with a vote of 63 to 10 (with 10 Republican votes against and 6 absentees), and it also passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. It is highly likely to smoothly pass the Senate and be sent to the Governor’s office for approval.
The bill, named “Solid waste: plastic microbeads: plastic glitter,” was introduced by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner from the 77th district (Democratic Party). “Plastic microbeads” are defined as solid plastic particles with dimensions not exceeding 5 millimeters.
The revised proposal delays the implementation date, stipulating the ban on selling, distributing, or promoting rinse-off personal care and cleaning products containing plastic microbeads in California starting from January 1, 2029. This includes personal care products containing plastic microbeads used for cleaning, exfoliating, or polishing; cleaning products containing plastic microbeads for these purposes; and personal care products containing plastic glitter.
Earlier, California had passed a law in 2015, banning the use of plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care products starting from January 1, 2020, excluding non-rinse personal care products and cleaning products.
Boerner stated that plastic microbeads are present in many daily products, leading to microplastics circulating in the human body, including in the lungs, blood, placental tissues, breast milk, reproductive systems, and even the brain. If AB823 is passed, it would have the opportunity to protect the oceans, communities, and people’s health.
“California is taking a significant step towards phasing out plastic microbeads in everyday products,” Boerner said. “I am proud to work with passionate environmental leaders to advance this bill. A future that is cleaner, healthier, and free of microplastics is within reach—we will not back down.”
Some environmental and disease prevention organizations in California support the proposal. Andria Ventura, Legislative and Policy Director of Clean Water Action, said, “The presence of microplastics in California’s drinking water is concerning, they may impact health, and the cost of testing and cleaning water is high… Stopping the addition of microplastics in products means we don’t have to remove them, it’s common sense.”
Normally, plastic microbeads are added as exfoliants in cosmetics and personal care products, including soaps, facial scrubs, and toothpaste; colored microbeads can be used to enhance the visual appeal of cosmetics; they may also be added to non-prescription drugs, or used in biological research and medical devices.
The opposition alliance argues that the current proposal will lead to the ban of important consumer products and does not provide any future pathways. They hope that California legislators will “incorporate appropriate guidance based on reliable and scientific research, include the needs of specific products in AB823, align California with international standards, and pave the way for product innovation… to collectively explore a path that protects the environment and human health while meeting consumer needs.”