HB4175 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 15732 BDA 28916 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4175

Introduced 10/28/2025, by Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

415 ILCS 5/52.5

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, effective December 31, 2029, no person shall manufacture or accept for sale a personal care product that contains nonbiodegradable plastic glitter. Specifies that, until December 31, 2030, a person may continue to accept for sale an existing stock of personal care products containing nonbiodegradable plastic glitter that was acquired and transported into the State before December 31, 2029. Defines "nonbiodegradable plastic glitter". Effective January 1, 2028.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Environmental Protection Act is amended by changing Section 52.5 as follows:

(415 ILCS 5/52.5)

Sec. 52.5. Microbeads and glitter in personal care products; prohibited Microbead-free waters.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Nonbiodegradable plastic glitter" means a decorative material, consisting of reflective particles of one or more colors that are less than 2 millimeters in size, made of nonbiodegradable plastic, precision-cut into various shapes and sizes, and introduced into products to create a shimmering effect by reflecting light.

"Over the counter drug" means a drug that is a personal care product that contains a label that identifies the product as a drug as required by 21 CFR 201.66. An "over the counter drug" label includes:

(1) A drug facts panel; or

(2) A statement of the active ingredients with a list of those ingredients contained in the compound, substance, or preparation.

"Personal care product" means any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, and any article intended for use as a component of any such article. "Personal care product" does not include any prescription drugs.

"Plastic" means a synthetic material made from linking monomers through a chemical reaction to create an organic polymer chain that can be molded or extruded at high heat into various solid forms retaining their defined shapes during life cycle and after disposal.

"Synthetic plastic microbead" means any intentionally added non-biodegradable solid plastic particle measured less than 5 millimeters in size and is used to exfoliate or cleanse in a rinse-off product.

(b) The General Assembly hereby finds that microbeads, a synthetic alternative ingredient to such natural materials as ground almonds, oatmeal, and pumice, found in over 100 personal care products, including facial cleansers, shampoos, and toothpastes, pose a serious threat to the State's environment.

Microbeads have been documented to collect harmful pollutants already present in the environment and harm fish and other aquatic organisms that form the base of the aquatic food chain. Recently, microbeads have been recorded in Illinois water bodies, and in particular, the waters of Lake Michigan.

Although synthetic plastic microbeads are a safe and effective mild abrasive ingredient effectively used for gently removing dead skin, there are recent concerns about the potential environmental impact of these materials. More research is needed on any adverse consequences, but a number of cosmetic manufacturers have already begun a voluntary process for identifying alternatives that allay those concerns. Those alternatives will be carefully evaluated to assure safety and implemented in a timely manner.

Without significant and costly improvements to the majority of the State's sewage treatment facilities, microbeads contained in products will continue to pollute Illinois' waters and hinder the recent substantial economic investments in redeveloping Illinois waterfronts and the ongoing efforts to restore the State's lakes and rivers and recreational and commercial fisheries.

(c) Effective December 31, 2017, no person shall manufacture for sale a personal care product, except for an over the counter drug, that contains synthetic plastic microbeads as defined in this Section.

(d) Effective December 31, 2018, no person shall accept for sale a personal care product, except for an over the counter drug, that contains synthetic plastic microbeads as defined in this Section.

(e) Effective December 31, 2018, no person shall manufacture for sale an over the counter drug that contains synthetic plastic microbeads as defined in this Section.

(f) Effective December 31, 2019, no person shall accept for sale an over the counter drug that contains synthetic plastic microbeads as defined in this Section.

(g) Effective December 31, 2029, no person shall manufacture or accept for sale a personal care product that contains nonbiodegradable plastic glitter; however, until December 31, 2030, a person may continue to accept for sale an existing stock of personal care products containing nonbiodegradable plastic glitter that was acquired and transported into the State before December 31, 2029.

(Source: P.A. 98-638, eff. 1-1-15.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2028.