Opportunity to comment on proposed federal ban on microbeads!

Our federal government is planning to enact new regulations to restrict the use of microbeads in personal care products. They need to hear from people who support this ban so please consider using our easy template to send your comments before the March 10th deadline.

Written by Stephanie Bolt

The proposed regulations to restrict the use of microbeads in personal care products have come after a great deal of public pressure throughout Canada to see movement on this issue. They need to hear from river lovers, like you, who support this ban. Last year Ottawa Riverkeeper, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and Environmental Defence, with representation by Ecojustice, recommended that microbeads be regulated by the federal government in order to protect Canadian waters. Canadian Waterkeepers united to write a submission to support classifying plastic microbeads as toxic and adding them to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

Canada’s action follows that of the United States, as that country passed into law in December 2015 a ban on the sale of microbeads in personal care products by July 1, 2018. Canada is now proposing to ban the manufacture and import of microbeads in personal care products starting on December 31, 2017 and the sale of microbeads on December 31, 2018.

Ottawa Riverkeeper is very pleased to see our government taking this action, although we do need public support to help make these regulations as strong as possible.  Please send your comments to Environment and Climate Change Canada by the March 10, 2016 deadline to show your support for an effective and timely federal ban on microbeads in personal care products.

You can use our easy letter template that will be automatically emailed to the Products Division Environment and Climate Change Canada. Alternately, please send your own comments with the subject, “Consultation on Proposed Regulations for Microbeads” via email to ec.produits-products.ec@canada.ca  or mail to:

Products Division Environment and Climate Change Canada
Place Vincent Massey, 9th Floor
351 St. Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau, QC  K1A 0H3

Ottawa Riverkeeper took part in the stakeholder consultation on the proposed regulations held on February 22nd by Environment and Climate Change Canada.  We will be submitting our own comments and will continue to follow the process as it evolves.  We will keep you aware of important developments.

Thanks for helping us keep our waterways free of plastic pollution!


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Photo : Natural Society

3 responses to “Opportunity to comment on proposed federal ban on microbeads!”

  1. Austina Garnhum says:

    I urge the government to act quickly to stop the manufacture and sale of products containing microbeads. Please protect our water supply !

    Austina Garnhum

  2. jocelyn says:

    Hi – just wondering what happened on march 10 re: microbead legislation. Cannot find anything in the news.
    Thanks.