Microplastics testing

Microplastics testing

Microplastics are solid plastic particles composed of mixtures of polymers and functional additives.
Microplastics can be unintentionally formed or deliberately manufactured and added to products for specific purposes which can be harmful to the environment.
According to the ECHA, specific derogations have been included in the restriction proposal. Some criteria have been set out to clarify that (bio)degradable polymers are exempt from the restriction on the basis that they do not contribute to microplastic concerns. The derogation is required to ensure that the restriction is targeted to the substances contributing to the identified risk.

In such cases it will be sufficient to demonstrate that the polymer meets the suggested criteria. In practice this may mean testing the polymer(s) prior to the formation of the particle.
At Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care, our network of companies can help you to define the regulatory and compliance framework that your products would need to comply with and thereby provide services, including testing biodegradability methods for microplastics under GLP or ISO 17025, in order to place a compliant product on the market.