What Does the Restriction Introduce?
That clean scent which rises again when you touch a fabric days after washing is very often the work of a microcapsule. The European Union's microplastics restriction targets precisely the material of that technology.
Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 added a new entry to the restrictions annex of the chemicals legislation REACH: synthetic polymer microparticles intentionally added to products. Roughly, the definition is: solid synthetic polymer particles smaller than 5 millimetres that are insoluble in water and do not degrade in nature. The Regulation entered into force in October 2023.
Plastic beads in exfoliating products (microbeads) and loose glitter were banned on day one. For other uses, transition periods varying by product group were granted; fragrance capsules are one of those groups.
What Is a Fragrance Microcapsule, and Why Is It in Scope?
A microcapsule is a carrier system in which fragrance is trapped inside a micron-sized polymer shell. The shell protects the fragrance through washing, drying and storage; when it breaks under friction, it releases the scent. This is the technology behind fabric softener, detergent, scent beads, scratch-and-sniff printing and scented textiles.
Conventional capsule shells are mostly made from melamine-formaldehyde or similar synthetic resins. These shells are durable; and that is exactly the problem. Broken shell fragments enter the environment with the wash water and persist without degrading. They fit the definition exactly: small, insoluble, persistent.
Note: what is restricted is not the fragrance itself but the shell material. Unencapsulated, free fragrance oil is not within the scope of this Regulation.
| System | Shell | Status under the restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Free fragrance oil | None | Out of scope |
| Classic polymer capsule | Melamine-formaldehyde, polyurea, etc. | In scope; cannot be used once the transition period ends |
| Biodegradable capsule | Polymer with proven biodegradability | Exempt if it meets the criteria |
| Natural polymer carrier | Chemically unmodified starch, gelatine, etc. | Outside the definition |
| Cyclodextrin complex | Water-soluble ring-shaped sugar | May fall outside the definition on the solubility criterion; a supplier declaration is required |
Timeline: Which Product, Which Date
The transition periods are staggered by product group. The main dates relevant to fragrance manufacturers are as follows.
| Date | Scope |
|---|---|
| 17 October 2023 | Entry into force. Exfoliating beads (microbeads) and loose glitter banned. |
| 17 October 2027 | Rinse-off cosmetic products (shampoo, shower gel, etc.) |
| 17 October 2029 | Fragrance encapsulation systems and most leave-on cosmetic products |
For fragrance capsules the period runs to 2029; this is the margin given to the industry to develop biodegradable alternatives. Dates differ for other groups such as detergents and care products; consult the text of the Regulation for your own product group.
What Should the Manufacturer Do?
If you use capsules, or are thinking of using them, the roadmap is as follows.
- Take an inventory
Which of your products contain encapsulated fragrance? List softeners, detergents, scent beads, scented printing and textile applications.
- Get a written declaration from the supplier
What is the shell material of the capsule you use, does it fall within the microplastic definition, and if so, until what date can it be sold? "Eco-friendly" is not a declaration; biodegradability is documented against a test standard.
- Trial the alternative now
Capsules with biodegradable shells and natural polymer carriers are coming onto the market. Their performance may not match the classic capsule: release profile, wash resistance and cost all differ. Reformulation and stability testing take months.
- Consider a capsule-free solution
Not every product needs capsules. A fragrance built with highly substantive raw materials, a fixative architecture and the right dosage is sufficient in many applications.
- Define your market
The Regulation binds products placed on the EU market. If you sell only in Türkiye you may have no direct obligation; but Turkish chemicals legislation follows the EU's, and your export customer will ask you for this compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
This article is for general information; for binding obligations, rely on the text of the Regulation and current official sources.
Are perfume and fragrance oil covered by the microplastics restriction?
When are fragrance microcapsules banned?
Are biodegradable microcapsules permitted?
What happens to products containing glitter?
Does it apply in Türkiye too?
Are long-lasting scents in textiles affected by this Regulation?
Is cyclodextrin a microplastic?
Can a long-lasting scent be achieved in a capsule-free product?
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