Microplastics Regulation: EPA Declines to Act, California Moves Forward
EPA and California took opposite approaches to microplastics regulation within weeks of each other. On July 1, 2026, EPA proposed to omit microplastics from the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6). Two weeks earlier on June 18, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) finalized a regulation adding microplastics to the state’s Safer Consumer […]
Rhode Island’s Microplastics Reduction Act Would Prohibit Sales by 2030
Rhode Island lawmakers have introduced legislation that would ban products containing intentionally added microplastics and require the development of statewide testing and strategy plans. The Microplastics Reduction Act, SB 2534, would prohibit the sale or distribution of any product containing intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles starting January 1, 2030. The definitions of key terms used […]
Governors Urge EPA to Add Microplastics to UCMR 6 Drinking Water Monitoring
Democratic governors from seven states have petitioned EPA to include microplastics in its upcoming Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 6 (UMCR 6), triggering a Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) mandate for EPA to include microplastics in the rule unless the administrator determines it “would prevent the listing of other contaminants of a higher public health concern.” […]
DTSC Releases Microplastics Background Document Ahead of December Workshop
This month, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) released a public background document summarizing its research on products that contain or generate microplastics. DTSC is requesting comment on the specific product categories evaluated in the document through January 16, 2026. The department will also hold a virtual workshop to receive public input on December […]
California Governor Blocks Bill Targeting Microbeads and Glitter
A California bill that sought to expand state restrictions on the use of small plastic particles known as microbeads in consumer products was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 11, 2025. Beginning in 2029, AB 823 would have prohibited the sale of: Personal care products containing plastic glitter. Non-rinse-off personal care products that use […]
California Proposes Listing Microplastics as an SCP Candidate Chemical
California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has proposed to designate microplastics as a “candidate chemical,” a move that could lead to future regulation of products that contain or generate microplastics under the state’s Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program. Adding microplastics to the SCP candidate chemical list would not in itself create new regulatory requirements. However, […]
DTSC Finalizes SCP Priority Product Work Plan
This October, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) released the final version of the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Program’s Three-Year Priority Product Work Plan for 2024–2026. The work plan identifies eight categories of consumer products that DTSC will evaluate to determine whether specific products within those categories should be designated as Priority Products—product-chemical combinations […]
Microplastics and PPD Derivatives Proposed for Regulation in California
California state regulators recently announced plans to potentially regulate two additional groups of chemicals under the state’s Safer Consumer Products Program (“SCP”). The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (“DTSC”) has proposed adding microplastics and para-Phenylenediamine (“PPD”) derivatives to its Candidate Chemicals List (“CCL”) due to their reported impacts on human health and the environment. […]