Overview
- The NSW Environment Protection Authority issued compliance notices to six businesses — Natio, Coles Group, McPherson's Consumer Products, Aesthetics Skincare, Frostbland and JMSR Australia — ordering withdrawal of nine products in the state.
- Testing found microbeads in the items, including particles made from bioplastics such as polylactic acid and cellulose acetate, which are defined as plastics under NSW law because they do not readily break down.
- Brands removed affected stock after being notified, and the EPA worked with major retailers including Chemist Warehouse and Priceline to get products off shelves, with further investigations underway.
- Penalties for failing to comply with an EPA notice can reach up to $550,000 plus $55,000 for each day the products continue to be supplied.
- The enforcement applies only in NSW, while similar products may still be sold elsewhere because Australia lacks a federal ban and state rules focus mainly on ‘rinse-off’ products.