California Governor Blocks Bill Targeting Microbeads and Glitter
A California bill that sought to expand state restrictions on the use of small plastic particles known as microbeads in consumer products was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 11, 2025.
Beginning in 2029, AB 823 would have prohibited the sale of:
- Personal care products containing plastic glitter.
- Non-rinse-off personal care products that use microbeads as an abrasive to clean, exfoliate, or polish.
- Cleaning products that use microbeads as an abrasive to clean, exfoliate, or polish.
Under the proposal, companies would have been permitted to sell their existing inventories of these products until 2030.
In his veto message, Newsom wrote:
“I support efforts to protect California’s waterways, ecosystems, and public health from the real and significant harms caused by the prevalence of microplastics in our environment. However, I am not supportive of the approach this bill takes to ban specific ingredients, such as glitter, which may incidentally result in a prohibition on biodegradable or natural alternatives.”
Existing California law already prevents the sale of personal care products that use microbeads to exfoliate or cleanse in a rinse-off product, such as toothpaste. Products containing less than one part per million by weight of plastic microbeads are exempt.
Two days after the veto, Newsom rejected a separate bill that would have expanded restrictions on the use of PFAS in many consumer products. More on that can be found here.
