Question NW108 to the Minister of Health
11 March 2019 - NW108
Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to the reply of the Minister of Environmental Affairs to question 3618 on 14 December 2018, (a) what plans are in place to ban microbeads in the country and (b) by what date will the ban come into effect?
Reply:
The regulations related to the labelling, advertising and cosmetics made in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 9172) were published for comment. SAHPRA has reviewed the comments submitted by various stakeholders, including those made by the Department of Environmental Affairs, on the harms and banning of microbeads in cosmetics. The updated evidence and motivations provided on microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics and the stance of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the EU were reviewed and taken into account. The Authority has made a decision to ban the use of microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics, in line with global regulatory jurisdictions. The banning of microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics will follow a phased out approach, taking effect 18-24 months from the date of publication of the regulations.
END.