Industry's Push to Redefine “Microplastics”

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control’s (DTSC) Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program proposal to add microplastics to the Candidate Chemicals List lacks some important scientific considerations, according to comments submitted by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), the trade association for the cleaning product supply chain.

In the comments, ACI highlights that: 

- DTSC’s current definition of “microplastics” is overly inclusive, overlooking key scientific nuances
- Primary and secondary microplastics should be regulated separately
- By adding vital exclusions to the definition, international regulators have shown it is possible to simultaneously prevent releases and allow innovation
- Microchemistries uniquely enhance the experience and effectiveness of cleaning, a critical health measure
- If an overly inclusive definition is maintained, then the SCP timeline would leave insufficient time for reformulation 

ACI underscored that it shares DTSC’s goal of protecting human health and the environment, adding that it is concerned that an overly broad definition of “microplastics” could negatively impact consumers by removing safe and effective products from the market.

“Therefore, we urge DTSC to consider the scientific nuances of microchemistries and implement exclusions to the definition for safety and sustainability-driven innovations,” writes Dr. Dan Selechnik, ACI Director, Environmental Health & Safety. “By adding these exclusions, international regulations on microplastics – such as those in the European Union (EU) – have demonstrated that it is possible to protect health and safety and promote innovation of effective products. This is particularly important because these chemistries play important roles within products that are critical for personal and public health.”