England
Since 2018
BannedMaking them has been banned since 9 January 2018, and selling them since 19 June 2018.
Plastics question
isitbannedintheuk.co.uk · Answer card
Are microbeads banned in the UK?
The answer
Banned in rinse-off products
Yes, in rinse-off products. Plastic microbeads are banned in rinse-off personal care products, such as face scrubs, shower gels and toothpaste, in every UK nation. It's an offence to make these products with microbeads or to sell them. Leave-on products aren't covered by these rules.
Where you live matters
Scotland
Since 2018
BannedSince 19 June 2018.
Wales
Since 2018
BannedSince 30 June 2018.
Northern Ireland
Since 2019
BannedSince 11 March 2019.
What the law says
any water-insoluble solid plastic particle of less than or equal to 5mm in any dimension
What this doesn't tell you
These rules cover rinse-off personal care products only. They don't tell you whether a leave-on product is affected by any other rules.
Last checked:
Sources
- England: Environmental Protection (Microbeads) (England) Regulations 2017, reg 3 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Scotland: Environmental Protection (Microbeads) (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Wales: Environmental Protection (Microbeads) (Wales) Regulations 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Northern Ireland: Environmental Protection (Microbeads) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019 (legislation.gov.uk)
isitbannedintheuk.co.uk/rules/microbeads/ · Last checked 1 November 2026
General information from official sources, checked on the date shown. Not legal or medical advice. © The Contract Studio UK Ltd
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