Microbeads (Prohibition) Bill 2019

Public bill · Government · Presented

The proposal would ban making or selling certain rinse-off cosmetic and cleaning products that contain plastic microbeads, and it would also make it an offence to flush substances with microbeads down the drain or release them directly into freshwater or the sea. It exempts medicines, sunscreen, research and education uses, and goods merely passing through Ireland, while allowing the Minister to exempt some essential industrial cleaning products where no microbead-free substitute exists. The Environmental Protection Agency and customs officers would enforce it, with fines and possible prison terms for serious breaches.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to provide for the prohibition on the manufacture or placing on the market of certain products containing microbeads; to impose restrictions in relation to the disposal of substances containing microbeads; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Last updated 2 July 2021