Microparticles.

Existing law, the Plastic Microbeads Nuisance Prevention Law, prohibits a person from selling or offering for promotional purposes in the state any personal care products containing plastic microbeads that are used to exfoliate or cleanse in a rinse-off product, including, but not limited to, toothpaste. This bill would enact the Synthetic Polymer Microparticles in Cosmetic and Cleaning Products Prevention Act. The bill would prohibit a synthetic polymer microparticle from being placed on the market in this state as a substance on its own or, where the synthetic polymer microparticles are present to confer a sought-after characteristic, in mixtures in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.01% by weight. The restriction would apply on and after specified dates depending on the type of product, as described, except as otherwise provided. The bill would specify the screening tests and pass criteria to be used for purposes of determining compliance with this prohibition. The bill would make a person who violates this prohibition liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 per day for each violation, in addition to any other penalty established by law. The bill would authorize the civil penalty to be assessed and recovered in a civil action brought by a city attorney, a district attorney, a county counsel, or the Attorney General in any court of competent jurisdiction.