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The REACH microplastics restriction will apply in Northern Ireland.
As per this news item, the European Commission is implementing an amendment to Annex XVII of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) within the European Union (EU), in relation to the placing on the market or use of synthetic polymer microparticles. The EU REACH restriction impacts any solid, synthetic, non-biodegradable polymer in any cosmetic product.
This legislation is not applicable on the Great Britain (GB) market, which follows UK REACH as of 1 January 2021. However, in order to secure access to the EU single market, Northern Ireland applies certain EU regulations in relation to chemicals, including REACH, therefore the restriction will apply in Northern Ireland. Synthetic polymer microparticles products placed on the market in Northern Ireland will need to comply with the synthetic polymer microparticles limits introduced by the updated Regulation.
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published an explanatory memorandum which outlines the new requirements and how they will apply in the UK and Northern Ireland. The document can be accessed here.
For any questions related to this news item, members can contact Carys Ayton-Smith.
