Restriction on synthetic polymer microparticles intentionally added to products (REACH Annex XVII entry 78)

This REACH restriction binds companies directly, small ones included, and covers synthetic polymer microparticles on their own or intentionally added to mixtures. Articles are out of scope, and unintentional release such as fibre shedding or tyre abrasion is excluded. A textile business is caught only if it places or uses loose microparticles or mixtures containing them, such as glitter, flock or some coating and print pastes; suppliers of detergents, cleaning products or fertilising products are caught too.

Annual reporting to ECHA is due by 31 May each year, and sales bans phase in by product type from 17 October 2027 to 17 October 2035.