Toy Association advocates for key changes to EU Glitter & Microplastics proposed amendment
The Toy Association has announced that its advocacy efforts have led to important revisions to a proposed European Union amendment on synthetic polymer microplastics (SPM), which could impact toys and craft products containing glitter. The changes relate to the EU’s REACH Regulation governing intentionally added microplastics.
Narrow an existing exemption
The original proposal aimed to narrow an existing exemption — known as the 5(c) derogation — that applies to microplastics permanently incorporated into a solid matrix. The European Commission proposed limiting the exemption only to products intended to last one year or longer, raising concerns within the toy industry over unclear wording and the risk of major disruption across global supply chains.
In comments submitted through the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO-TBT) process in November 2025, The Toy Association argued that the proposed duration requirement lacked clarity and that the absence of a transition period could have caused the rules to take effect just 20 days after publication.
Two significant adjustments
Following this feedback, the European Commission introduced two significant adjustments. First, it added a two-year transition period for the revised 5(c) derogation after the final publication date. Second, it requested updated guidance from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to clarify which products would fall within or outside the scope of the new rules.
While updated ECHA guidance is still pending, the revisions are expected to give companies more time to adapt to the upcoming requirements. Final publication of the amendment is expected in late May or early June 2026.