TAIPEI, Taiwan — Cosmetic products containing microbeads — tiny plastic pellets mostly invisible to the naked eye — will be banned in Taiwan from July next year, the Environmental Protection Administration said Thursday. The ban, which follows similar measures overseas, including in the U.S. and U.K., will cover products including shampoo, cosmetics, face scrubs, body wash, soap, deodorant and toothpaste. Those found to have produced or imported goods containing plastic microbeads will face fines of NT$60,000 to NT$300,000; retailers that sell prohibited products will be fined NT$1,200 to NT$6,000. Scientists have warned for years that microbeads cause severe damage to marine life and environments. A study by Plymouth University researchers found that a single wash could release up to 94,500 toxic microbeads.

Source: The China Post August 04, 2017 00:00 UTC