Why It Matters
Why a microplastic-free standard helps shoppers and brands.
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size. Many are so small they can only be seen with a microscope. They can be created intentionally for use in products, or they can form when larger plastics shed or break down over time.
These particles have been detected in oceans, rivers, household dust, food, drinking water, and even in the human body. Scientific research is ongoing, but there is growing concern about their potential effects on both human health and the environment. See the resources below for further reading.
Common sources of microplastics in products include:
- Cosmetics and personal care products such as scrubs, glitter, and synthetic fillers
- Synthetic textiles that shed fibers during washing
- Plastic coatings on packaging that degrade over time
- Household items and materials that release small particles during normal use
Certified Microplastic-Free™ products are reviewed against our published criteria for materials, formulation, and manufacturing documentation, with a focus on contact surfaces and pathways where microplastic shedding is most likely. The certification is not a guarantee that a product is entirely free of microplastics under every condition, and it is not a statement that the product has been lab-tested by us. See For Consumers for a full explanation of what the seal does and does not promise.
Resources
For general background and ongoing research, see:
- World Health Organization: Microplastics in drinking-water
- NOAA: Microplastics overview
- UNEP: Beat Plastic Pollution
- National Geographic: Microplastics in the Environment
- CDC: Workplace Safety and Microplastics
These resources are independent of our program and are provided for education only.