Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 – Update on Restriction of Glitter

Since 17 October 2023, the EU will enforce a new regulation to restrict the use of intentionally added microplastics – tiny synthetic polymer particles that are either used alone or mixed with other substances. The commission is working on a Q&A document that will clarify the details of this regulation, which is expected to be published by the end of 2023. In the meantime, the commission has provided some updated information and answers on the microplastics regulation on 16th October 2023.

The restrictions of Glitter

Glitter is not banned completely, but it depends on what it is made of, what it is used for and how it is shaped.
Only plastic glitter that does not break down or dissolve in water is restricted.
Plastic glitter that is loose and used for arts and crafts cannot be sold from 17th October unless it can break down or dissolve in water.
Plastic glitter that is attached to decorative items like Christmas decorations is also not allowed if it comes off easily.
Plastic glitter that is stuck in a solid material like glue, paint or ink, or inside solid items like jewellery or snow globes is permitted.

The main rule is:
In case of glittered articles for which the decorative function is secondary – such as textiles used for garments or footwear, glitter is always regarded as an integral part of the article. These glittered articles – eg: clothing, shoes, curtains – are out of the scope of the restriction.
For glittered articles having a purely decorative function, or for which the decorative function is the main function of the article – such as textiles used in certain art and craft kits, toy/party hats, Christmas decorations, etc. – glitter can only be regarded as an integral part of the article if it does not detach from the article during normal end use (including storage). In case glitter detaches from the article during normal end use, the glittered article is to be regarded as a combination of an article (e.g. the article without the glitter) and a mixture (the glitter). In the latter case, the ban applies to the glitter (but in practice, the whole glittered article cannot be sold).
The sale ban would apply as of 17 October 2023 only to glittered objects having mainly a decorative function (such as – but not limited to – Christmas decorations and party hats) from which glitter detaches during normal end use.

At this stage the Commission is not in a position to recommend a standard test to prove whether glitter detaches during normal end use.
What is your test biodegradability ?

In permitted tests, such as OECD 301 Readily Biodegradability test, our biodgradable glitter products achieve >60% within 28 days (>60% is required to pass in 28-60days).

Link to the regulation: EU 2023/2055

Link to the latest guidance: Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 – Restriction of microplastics intentionally added to products

 
 
 

Biodegradable Glitter

Biodegradable GLitter Frequently Asked Questions

What is BIodegradable Glitter made from?

Biodegradable Glitter is made from a special biodegradable film name eucalyptus trees which is derived from sustainable and environmentally sourced raw materials.

Bio Glitter

Bio Glitter

Biodegradable Glitter

Biodegradable Glitter

How long does it take for Biodegradable Glitter to biodegrade?

Rate of biodegradation is dependent upon composting conditions. The biodegradable film is accredited according to the standards referred to in the previous FAQ.

BS EN13432:2000 Requirements for composting and biodegradable recyclable packaging test scheme and evaluation criteria for final acceptance of packaging(reference to standard:iso 14855-1:2005,IDT)

EN13432:2000 standard requires more than 90% within 180 days while our testing report of biodegradable glitter shows more than 91%within 95 days.

But this is just for labs,for the environment it usually takes 6month to degrade.

Will bio glitter biodegrade in sea water?

Natural Environments e (representative f of l natural l environmental conditions)

  • Home Composting – OK Compost Home
  • Soil and Waster Water Biodegradability – – OK Soil & ISO15985
  • Fresh Water Biodegradability – ISO14851
  • Marine Biodegradability – ASTM D6601-09 (the only test method that remains from the ASTM D7081

standard that was removed 2014)

Is Biodegradable Glitter suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

Yes

Is Biodegradable Glitter free of the 14 common food allergens?

Yes

Which conditions are required for biodegradation to occur?

Heat, water and oxygen are required for effective biodegradation by microorganisms. Biodegradable plastics are metabolised by micro-organisms which transform the bioplastic product into carbon dioxide, water and biomass.

Please keep them in some airtight containers.

Will Biodegradable Glitter biodegrade on the shelf in dry form?

Biodegradable glitter is very stable and will not biodegrade on the shelf. Biodegradation will only be initiated in a soil, compost or waste-water environment where micro-organisms are present.Our original biodegrade in the raining days so please keep them dry.

Can Biodegradable Glitter be recycled with paper or board?

It can be successfully recycled with carton-board but not currently recommended for mechanical recycling with paper.

Can Biodegradable Glitter be incinerated?

Yes.

Q: How to identify the biodegradable glitter?

Many stories are supposed to be biodegradable, however they have all been polyester with a marketing message that it biodegrades. Which is not wrong… It just takes a few hundred years and is not really in the spirit of what biodegradability is all about!

There is a very simple test to see if your bioglitter is truly biodegradable!

First way is a little funny but it’s a very effective test; we just burn the bio glitter.

All other glitters, PET, Holographic PET, Iridescent glitter will smell like plastic.

What about PLA?Heat the glitter up on tin foil with a naked flame from beneath.

Melt, produce synthetic-smelling smoke, and when cool, it remains stuck to the foil.

Biodegradable Glitter will smell like paper.

Another way is to put the glitter in the sand for 1 month,you can very clearly the glitter degrade.

What is embossing powder?

  What is embossing powder?

Embossing powder is a kind of powder made of a special kind of plastic which will can be melted and run together when heated by using a heat tool.

The content of the powder is still a kind of business secret but we can share some of the content :

There are 90% something like  hexamethylenediamine and stearic acid , around 10 % of Titanium and 5% Calcium carbonate,also mixed with some mica too.

embossing kit

 How to use the embossing powder?

First we need a professinal heat tool :

110V/220V depend on your country ,300w,the temperature can be 120 degree ,120degree is the most adjustable for embossing powder .

First we need heat the embossing powder (you can see our artical how to use heat tool,this artical talked about the heat tool very very deatiled)

Then you can see  the powder will become a solid mass of color lines or shapes, etc that is smooth and hard.

The powder is initially put in the desired by applying an adhesive, such as glycerin, before melting.
Embossing powder is often used by commercial printers in order to make the familiar raised-lettering and images commonly found on business cards and stationery, social announcements, and greeting cards. Crafters and artists like to use the many-hued powders to create images in the rubber stamping and artistic projects so popular with scrapbookers and memory makers. What’s more,the powders can also be used to create fine art and enamel-like finishes on a variety of surfaces, making this a versatile and exciting medium for all manner of creativity.
Hope you can having fun with our embossing powder.

Why we recommend embossing powder in your business?

1.There are more than 20 colours of embossing powder,you can choose 3~8colours in a kit.Compared to glitter powder,more than 200 colours.

2.You can sell embossing pen,ink pad and heat tool too.

3.The lead time is less than glitter powder.Think about it,the glitter shakers need cutting,producing and packing.

Embossing powder just need packing .(we had produced the powder already)

More information please contact info@fineglitterpowder.com

luminous powder

The application of luminous pigment/glow in the dark powder

The noctilucent powder can be used for weak lighting light source because of the light-emitting characteristics in people’s life.
It can spread the material on the aircraft instruments, clocks, windows, machines, all kinds of switches, the place such as door handles, also can be used for all kinds of transparent plastic such as various of pressed symbols, parts, supplies, such as the power switch, socket, fish hook, etc.)

Also there are some important applications for glow in the dark pigment for example such as the noctilucent textiles for the children can reduce traffic accidents or the safe exit.

As luminous powder in the handicraft industry such as DIY glitter powder and the application of the toy industry, more and more customers start using luminous powder to change the performance of their products, but there are many features of luminous powder itself most customers don’t know, now there are many kinds of luminous powder on the market, the quality is not the only differences, the price also has the very big difference, many customers will be very hard to get their desired luminous powder.

luminous powder(the colours of glow in the dark powder)

luminous powder(the colours of glow in the dark powder while glowing)

The so-called luminous 10 hours and 20 hours are only theoretical test results, but the actual effect is different.

There are many  articles which  said the problem of the response time of the suction light.For the application of the toy industry is particularly not important in arts and crafts.But for the sign indicating industry such as light-emitting time is important, so I hope  that our customers can know better about the glow in the drak powder when selecting the luminous powder.

I have attached the colours we use most and the glow colours after absorting the light,I hope you can love our productions.

Find more on info@fineglitterpowder.com.We are the manufacturer of glow in the dark powder pigment,manufacturer of  luminous powder.

glitter shakers

The future of glitter shaker

Today is Christmas day,we are constantly striving to improve the quality of life for millions across more than 100 countries where our products are distributed.

We wish you peace and prosperity in the new year!

Wishing you all a very  Merry Christmas & a  Happy New Year

Today I want to talk about the future of glitter shakers.(I think this artical is also suitable for some other productions such as glitter glue,glitter paper even though can expand to many product types )

First of all,I want to introduce the glitter shaker.Glitter shaker is very popular among the children especially in Europe and American.It is wildly seen in Walmart Target and so on.

The most popular sizes of glitter shakers are 0.75oz(3/4 oz) glitter,2oz glitter,4oz glitter,7oz glitter 16oz glitter(1 lb oz) and some assorted glitter shakers.

The glitter usually package in recyclable plastic bottles which the top cover can open very easily.The advantage is the plastic glitter is glass and metal free and wont fade and tarnish.What’s more,the technology of PET glitter is very

With smart designers, the PET glitter nowadays are in advanced arts, ideas and technologies, OEM is very popular for our customers.

Otherwise,due to those advantages, the glitter shakers are in good quality and can delivery  in time.

So the following are the advantages of PET glitter:

  1. Low price
  2. High quality
  3. Many colours and sizes are acceptable
  4. Own designs are available
  5. Fast in delivery
  6. Low MOQ
  7. Package in recyclable bottles,Aluminum pots,glass bottles or plastic bags

glitter shakers

Secondly,I want to say something about the disadvantages of the glitter shakers.

  1. Becauseof the advantages of economic globalization ,more and more retailers are able and very easy to purchase glitter shakers from Chinese factories,the retailers can have low MOQ for the glitter shakers in a very good price, in particular, would be a huge shock to the

In other words,it will be harder and harder to do the business for the distributors and wholesales.

  1. More and more people are focused on the microbeans,many
    scientists found plastic in the body of birds and fishes or ever human beings.No one can escape from the pollution of plastic!In UK,there is a banning on plastic glitter including PET glitter in schools and nurseries because of the polluting the water oceans etc.

Thirdly,I’d like to say the advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable glitter.

The advantages are very clear,you have have the same fun just like the PET glitter.

Otherwise,the bio glitter is more soft than the plastic glitter because the glitter is made from plants.

Also it is a great chance for the customers to break into the market.

In addition to that, we have some new package for the biodegradable glitter,this is biodegradable bags made from corn starch.

This is revelution of glitter shakers,we are trying to invent a kind of biodegradable jars,maybe we can see them in the future.

The negative aspects of biodegradable glitter are also very apparent. The price is much higher than the PET glitter and the holographic and iridescent colours are not available now.

Fourthly,

I want give a wild assumption, but it’s fun to make, because I know pretty well.

  1. Biodegradable glitter shakers will be popular in the next 5 years
  2. The price of bio glitter will be lower and lower with technology progress
  3. The most popular sizes of glitter shakers will be smaller than the PET glitter shaker,for example: 3g assorted,5g assorted ,0.75oz assorted or 2oz assorted.
  4. The market is changing,it is a great chanllenge but also a chance for our customers.Seize thechance,otherwise you will regret it.biodegradable bags(THIS is biodegradable bags,heat sealed on the top,5g per bag)

For more information,please contact  info@fineglitterpowder.com

We are manufacturer of biodegradable glitter in China and we are still looking for distributors ,importers and wholesalers for our bio glitter.

What is a real biodegradable bag?

What is a real biodegradable bag?

A few days ago,one of my customer ask me for some biodegradable glitter,also she wants package in biodegradable bags.

Because she thought biodegradable bags would be PERFECT!I cant agree more.

We never use biodegradable bags before but what my job is to solve problem for our customer.

I checked on google and found some materials for biodegradable bags:

EPI and D2w,the most two hot “biodegradable bags” now,why there is a double quotation marks here?

1.We must know how does these two to make a bag degradable:

For example:usually we use PE to make a plastic bag.But now,we only need to mix some EPI or D2W material into the PE material.Both D2W and EPI are biodegradable. The addition proportion of D2W and EPI is 1% to 3% .

2.The reason why they can be degradable:

EPI formulations catalyze or accelerate this reaction and increase the rate of the degradation by several orders of magnitude – i.e. 100’s to 1000’s of times faster, making plastic incorporated products degrade and physically disintegrate within a few weeks to 1-2 years, depending on the formulation and the disposal environment.

That is to say:The plastic bags degradable into very very small pieces!!!

  1. Lets see a news:

Spain, from January 1, 2018, forbidden on free polluting biodegradable plastic bags.

The Spanish legislation listed bags that can be oxidized, photochemically degraded, hydrated and thermally degraded as the most polluting bags (D2W/EPI biodegradable plastic, pseudo biodegradable, as the most polluting), and the recycling rate of such disposable plastic bags is only 10 percent.

4.So What is a real biodegradable bag?

I dont  think epi or d2w is suitable for our customer even though I quoted her the price of d2w.I checked many information and found an new material:PLA.

What is PLA?

PLA is a new kind of biodegradable material, which is made from starch from renewable plant resources (such as corn, cassava, etc.).

Starch raw material is glycosylated to obtain glucose, which is then fermented into lactic acid with high purity by glucose and certain bacteria species, and then polylactic acid with certain molecular weight is synthesized by chemical synthesis method.

It has good biodegradability. After being used, it can be completely degraded by microorganisms in nature under specific conditions and eventually generate carbon dioxide and water without polluting the environment. This is very beneficial to environmental protection and is recognized as an environmentally friendly material.

I changed into PLA even though we lost some money.

5.What about your biodegradable glitter??

Our biodegradable glitter is made from eucalyptus trees,which is can be compostable.

We are the first batch company who can provide biodegradable glitter and package in biodegradable bags!!

Find us on info@fineglitterpowder.com.

bio glitter

Questions about biodegradable glitter

I have got some questions about biodegradable glitter for our customers,so I answer here:

1.Can you provide Holographic glitter in biodegradable ?Can you provide iridescent glitter in biodegradable?

Before answering these questions,I would like to introduce you the processing of glitter powder,then you will know the answer.

We will talk the most hot productions:metallic glitter,holographic glitter and iridescent glitter for example:

Metallic glitter:

Production Process

  1. PET original film
  2. Plating
  3. Coated printing
  4. High temperature curing
  5. Slitting
  6. Cutting
  7. Sieving
  8. Packing

For holographic glitter:

Production Process

  1. Holographic original film
  2. Plating
  3. Coated printing
  4. High temperature curing
  5. Slitting
  6. Cutting
  7. Sieving
  8. Packing

For iridescent glitter:

Production Process

  1. White original film
  2. Coated rainbow film(Red ,Violet or Gold)
  3. 3. Coated printing
  4. 4. High temperature curing
  5. 5. Slitting
  6. 6. Cutting
  7. 7. Sieving
  8. 8. Packing

Can you see the differences?

The difference is the film we use.

The plant cellulose is dyed and then covered with the tiniest amount of aluminium in order to give it it’s shine.

For now we can replace the original film into biodegradable film,but for holographic film and rainbow film,we still need our partners to help us on invention.

In summary:What we can produce now is metallic bio glitter and single colour biodegradable glitter now.

2.What is biodegradable glitter made from?

All of our biodegradable glitter are made mainly from a plant cellulose instead of PET/PVC plastic. The main ingredient is Eucalyptus Trees from sustainably farmed non-GMO plantations.

Ingredients:  Cellulose, Glycerin, Aqua, Urea, Styrene/Acrylate Copolymer, dyer

3. What can it be used for?

We have two kinds of biodegradable glitter now ,one if craft biodegradable glitter and the other is cosmetics biodegradable glitter.

Our glitter can be used for cosmetic or for crafts. It has been used in bath bombs, soaps and by schools.

As it is made from plants ,it can not be resistant to some solvents so it doesn’t always work with nail applications. However, we can send you samples on the site for you to purchase some glitter and see if it works for your project.

4.How long does it take to biodegrade?

The time taken for the glitter to biodegrade depends on a number of conditions. For example,70% degradable in the lab.But in the enviroment,the water, warmth and micro-organisms are all present and then the rate will be faster. The biodegradable glitter is home compostable and the best place for it is in soil as all the ingredients are present.

5.Concerns around aluminium?

Aluminium is the most abundant metal in the Earths crust, however some people concerns over its use in glitter. The amount of aluminium used is really very small, about 0.1%. It is the tiniest layer in order to give the glitter some shine and PET/PVC based glitter use aluminium too for adding an extra layer of shine.

There is a misconception that aluminium has been linked with Breast Cancer, however according to Cancer.gov there has been no scientific evidence to prove this.

If you really feel worry about the aluminium,we still have single colours for you!!

For more questions,please contact us!!!

bio glitter

The future of glitter powder

Today I want to talk about the future of the glitter powder.

Before talk about the future of glitter powder,we must know the history of glitter powder:

1.In 1934,thanks to the father of glitter powder,in New Jersey,a Machinist named Henry Ruschmann of Bernardsville, invents a new way to grind up plastics to make large quantities of glitter.

He founded  Meadowbrook Inventions, and today still is a major supplier of the glitter.

But at that time the raw material is mostly PVC,PVC is short for Polyvinyl chloride.

The PVC glitter is charging for the 3 reasons below:

(1) Suspicious carcinogenicity of vinyl chloride;

(2) dioxins may form from PVC burning or waste ashes;

(3) the potential toxicity of some PVC additives

Soon many companies used PET glitter instead,why we can call PET glitter eco-friendly.

Why?PET is short for Polyethylene terephthalate,which only have Carbon hydrogen oxygen in PET ,that is to say,PET glitter will degradable into 3 kinds of ingrdents in the future.But today still many companies are using PVC glitter as well.

3.Few years ago,our company pays a lot of energy and money on the  invention of biodegradable glitter.Finally,after years of hard work,our company finally produced the biodegradable glitter.

In Oct 22th ,2018,breaking news :

Scientists found that microplastics have been found in human stools for the first time, suggesting they may be widespread in our food chain.More and more countries pay a lot attention on microplastics.

Plastic under Sea.

Plastic use is so pervasive in modern life that removing it entirely from the food chain would be extremely difficult. A million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute and the number is expected to jump another 20% by 2021.

 What the world will be if we insist on PVC glitter,

   What the world will be if we insist on PET glitter,

   What the world will be if we insist on BIODEGRADABLE glitter.

bio glitter

So think about your children,think about your family,we need change now.Consumers are paying more and more attention on the planet,on their health ,on their children.

  •  One of the largest partner of Walmart had received our samples and decided to launch some new productions of biodegradable glitter shakers.
  •  One of the largest resin polishing company in USA decided to change all glitters to biodegradable glitter.
  • Many distributors/wholesalers in UK /Europe/USA/ decided to change their business from PET glitter to biodegradable glitter.

Think what it will be in the 5 years or 10 years,we need your help us to low down our cost of the biodegradable glitter and we will help you to expand your business.

Please see my article 5 years later and see the world again.

Thanks for visiting.

The differences between fine glitter and chunky glitter

The differences between fine glitter and chunky glitter

I still remember the day ,when the first I become the seller of glitter ,I meet some questions.

Glitter powder,fine glitter,chunky glitter,what is the differences?I checked on google but no one replys.

Time flys,as I touch people and productions,glitter powders  throughout the month, I accumulate knowledges on my hands.

So in this article I have compiled some of the more common abbreviations and size terms of glitter powder for reference,please check the file blow:

  Size Inches METRIC  LIKE
standard 008 0.008 inches,1/128 200 microns,0.2mm fine craft glitter
Ultra fine 004 0.004 inches,1/256 100 microns,0.1mm powder
Fine 006 0.006 inches,1/170 150 microns,0.15mm sand
Chunky 015 0.015 inches,1/64 375 microns,0.375mm standard craft glitter
Super chunky 040 0.040 inches,1/24 1mm cress seeds
Super duper chunky 094 0.094 inches,1/10 2.5mm small fish scales

See?For example,chunky glitter usually represents glitter powder for size 0.375mm,and fine glitter is represented for 0.15mm,similar volumetric weight to sugar.

We can produced glitter powder in all the size above,so please dont ask a question like:Do you have chunky glitter?

Of course we have.We have all the sizes you need.Trust me,we can send all the samples you need.

    The above picture is chunky glitter,kinds of like cress seeds,hmm.

The above picture is fine glitter,kinds of a powder.

Now you will know the sizes of the glitter powder,hope you can enjoy.

Thanks for visiting.

Why the price of degradable glitter is very high?

Yesterday I meet a customer in UK,he is very interested in bio-glitter.

We talked about the price and he is very confused why the price is much higher than PET glitter.

So why the price is higher?

First,the price of the orginal film of the bio-glitter is much higher than plastic.

Second,the orignal film of the glitter is different,made from plants,is very easy to tear apart when you are producing,so we need more materials and more labour than usual.

Third,we pay a lot of money and energy on invention,that is a kind of cost too.

Fourth,the demand of the bio-glitter is much less than PET glitter now.

In summary,the price will be lower since we have large orders.