Microbeads officially outlawed in Ireland since 20 February
The sale, manufacture, import and export of products containing microplastics has been officially outlawed in Ireland.
Plastic microbeads are generally found in soaps, shower gels and facial scrubs to exfoliate skin, and they can also be present in toothpastes and abrasive cleaners.
The Microbeads (Prohibition) Act 2019 was signed into law on 6 February by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy and came into effect on 20 February. It also makes it an offence to dispose of any substance containing microbeads by pouring it down the drain or into marine or freshwater environments.
A 2018 study by NUI Galway revealed just how pervasive the microplastics problem is in the marine environment – it found that 73pc of deep water fish they studied had microbeads or microplastics in their bodies.
The Environmental Protection Agency has been assigned the responsibility of implementation with support from customs officials and the Gardaí. A person convicted of an offence under the Microbeads (Prohibition) Act 2019 was Act could receive a fine and/or a prison sentence of up to six months. Conviction on indictment (after being tried before a judge and jury) may mean a fine of up to €3,000,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to five years.
According to a Government spokesperson, Ireland will continue to work with the Commission and other EU member states to develop further “robust regulatory measures to address microplastic pollution”.
