Micro-plastics in make-up: NGT seeks govt reply

Hearing a plea that sought the ban on use of micro-plastics in cosmetic and body care products, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the ministries of environment and water resources asking them to respond on the matter.

The use of micro-plastic is said to be extremely dangerous for aquatic life and environment.

A bench, headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar, sought the Centre’s reply on the next date of hearing, April 18.

Micro-plastics are plastic pieces or fibres measuring less than five millimeters, which are extensively found in personal care products.

During the hearing, the bench asked advocate Sumeer Sodhi whether the matter is covered under Drugs and Cosmetics Act and how does the issue comes under the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

To this, the counsel replied that these micro-plastics are plastic pieces or fibres, according to recent United Nations reports, are dangerous for the aquatic life and the environment. “Due to the unregulated production and usage of plastics in micro beads in various cosmetic products available in the market and the excessive usage of such products by the end users is leading to water pollution across the globe. It is, perhaps, due to these life-threatening dangers of release of micro beads into our eco-system, that there is an international campaign for ban of usage of plastic micro beads,” the plea filed by Ashwini Kumar said. It said there is a global demand for cosmetic products.

“These products are washed down the drain after use, micro beads flow through sewer systems around the world before making their way into rivers and canals and ultimately, straight into the seas and oceans, where they contribute to the huge chunk of plastic soup in the environment,” the plea alleged.

It sought ban on the usage of micro beads or micro plastics in the manufacture, import, sale of various cosmetic or personal care products and imposition of fines on the defaulting companies causing environmental pollution.