Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref. : EIC 411/3

3 May 2021

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 303/2021

Argentina : Plastic Microbeads in Cosmetic and Oral Hygiene Products Regulations

The Argentine government published Law 27602 ("the Law") to ban the production, importation and marketing of cosmetic and oral hygiene products containing intentionally added plastic microbeads with effect from 29 December 2022.

2.For the purpose of the Law, plastic microbeads include synthetic solid particles that are made of petroleum-derived or bio-based polymers, not soluble in water and less than 5 millimeters in size. Products covered by the ban include preparations consisting of natural or synthetic substances as well as mixtures thereof, for external use in various parts of the human body, for the purpose of sanitising or perfuming them, changing their appearance, protecting or keeping them in good condition and/or correcting body odours, which may not claim any therapeutic effects; and preparations for external use applied to teeth and oral mucosa in their different presentations, such as toothpastes, dental gels and creams, and mouthwashes intended to sanitise, protect or keep the oral cavity in good condition.

3.For details of the above measures and the products involved, traders are advised to consult their importers in Argentina and/or the relevant Argentine Law (in Spanish) which is available at: https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/239237/20201229.

ENQUIRIES

4.For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact Miss K Y HO at telephone number 2398 5405.

Yours faithfully,

(Ms Sandra FUNG)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.