Rhode Island’s Microplastics Reduction Act Would Prohibit Sales by 2030
Rhode Island lawmakers have introduced legislation that would ban products containing intentionally added microplastics and require the development of statewide testing and strategy plans.
The Microplastics Reduction Act, SB 2534, would prohibit the sale or distribution of any product containing intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles starting January 1, 2030. The definitions of key terms used in the legislation, like “synthetic polymer microparticles,” largely mirror those used in the European Union (EU) Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations for microplastics adopted in 2023.
Unlike the phased implementation under REACH, however, SB 2534’s prohibition applies to all covered products simultaneously. Only products preempted from regulation by federal law are excluded from the bill, which was introduced February 13, 2026.
SB 2534 would also require the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to develop two reports:
- A microplastics testing plan, identifying analytical methods consistent with the best available science by July 2029, which must specifically consider microplastics shed from vehicle tires; and
- A microplastics strategy plan, characterizing ambient microplastics concentrations, investigating microplastics sources, summarizing scientific research on microplastics reduction, and recommending policy changes by January 2030.
Definition of Microplastics
SB 2534 defines “synthetic polymer microparticles” as solid polymers that meet both of the following conditions:
- Are contained in particles and constitute at least 1% by weight of those particles; or build a continuous surface coating on particles; and
- At least 1% by weight of the particles fulfill either of the following conditions:
- All dimensions of the particles are equal to or less than 5mm; or
- The length of the particles is equal to or less than 15mm and the particle’s length is greater than three times its diameter.
Naturally occurring particles are excluded. However, unlike REACH, SB 2534 does not provide exemptions for degradable, soluble, or non-carbon-containing plastic particles.
A synthetic polymer microparticle is considered “intentionally added” if it is added to confer a sought-after characteristic in mixtures in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.01% by weight. SB 2534 defines “product” broadly to include items sold for personal, residential, commercial, or industrial use.
Microplastics regulation is also under consideration in California. Regulators have proposed a simpler definition: plastics less than 5mm in their longest dimension, including materials intentionally manufactured at those dimensions and materials generated by the fragmentation of larger plastics.
California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) will weigh listing microplastics as a “candidate chemical” through April 2026, according to a timeline on its website. DTSC previously solicited comment, through January 2026, on a technical document outlining the rationale for listing microplastics and identifying products that may contain them.
