Zero Plastic Inside

1. Review the microplastics definition: Familiarize yourself with the Beat the Microbead definition of microplastics, which covers both intentionally added plastic particles and plastic polymers used as functional ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products.

1. Audit your product formulations: Conduct an internal review of all ingredient lists for each product you wish to certify, checking against the Beat the Microbead microplastics ingredient database (available on their website) to identify any potentially disqualifying ingredients.

1. Reformulate if necessary: If any microplastic ingredients are identified, work with your formulation team to replace them with compliant alternatives before proceeding with the application.

1. Prepare documentation: Compile complete ingredient lists, supplier declarations, and any supporting technical documentation that confirms the absence of microplastics in every component of the product formulation.

1. Submit your application: Contact the Plastic Soup Foundation / Beat the Microbead team via the official website to submit your product documentation for review. There is no application fee for the Zero Plastic Inside label.

1. Undergo ingredient review: The Beat the Microbead team evaluates your submitted ingredient data against their database. They may request additional clarification or documentation during this process.

1. Receive certification and display the label: Once approved, your product is added to the official Zero Plastic Inside product list and you receive the right to display the "Zero Plastic Inside" logo on your product packaging and marketing materials.

1. Maintain compliance: Notify the program of any formulation changes and undergo re-evaluation as needed. The certified product list is reviewed periodically to ensure continued accuracy.

The Zero Plastic Inside certification evaluates whether a product's formulation is entirely free from microplastics — defined as solid plastic particles or plastic polymers that are intentionally added or present as functional ingredients. The assessment is ingredient-based rather than performance-based, focusing exclusively on the composition of the product.

The Beat the Microbead team maintains a comprehensive database of known microplastic ingredients, which is used as the primary reference for evaluation. Submitted ingredient lists are cross-checked against this database to identify any plastic polymers, including but not limited to polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, acrylates copolymers, and carbomers. Both rinse-off and leave-on product categories are covered.

The review also considers whether any plastic-derived ingredients are present in carrier systems, encapsulation agents, film formers, or other functional components — not just exfoliating beads. This broad scope means that many products with less obvious plastic ingredients (such as certain conditioning agents or texture modifiers) may require reformulation before qualifying. The program does not currently assess packaging, supply chain, or broader environmental impact — the scope is strictly limited to the product formulation itself.

The Zero Plastic Inside label, operated under the Beat the Microbead campaign by the Plastic Soup Foundation, is one of the most widely recognized consumer-facing labels for microplastic-free cosmetics and personal care products globally. Launched in 2012, it predates most regulatory action on microplastics and has built significant brand equity among environmentally conscious consumers and retailers. The program has certified thousands of products across dozens of countries, making it one of the most adopted product-level microplastics certifications in the beauty and personal care sector.

The label's relevance has grown substantially as regulatory pressure on microplastics has intensified. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restriction on intentionally added microplastics — which entered into force in 2023 — has accelerated brand interest in demonstrating compliance and proactive commitment. The Zero Plastic Inside label provides a credible, consumer-visible way to communicate this. In markets like the EU, UK, and parts of Asia-Pacific, the label is increasingly recognized by retailers and sustainability-focused buyers as a meaningful differentiator.

Competing programs such as COSMOS Organic, NATRUE, and EWG Verified also restrict microplastics as part of broader natural/organic standards, but Zero Plastic Inside is unique in its singular, laser-focused scope on microplastics. This specificity is both a strength and a limitation: brands seeking a comprehensive sustainability credential will need additional certifications, but those specifically addressing microplastic concerns will find no more targeted or credible label available. Demand for the certification is expected to continue growing as global microplastic regulations expand beyond the EU.

The Zero Plastic Inside label was created by the Plastic Soup Foundation, a Dutch environmental NGO founded in 2011, as part of its broader Beat the Microbead campaign. The campaign launched in 2012 in response to growing scientific evidence that microplastic particles — particularly polyethylene microbeads used as exfoliants in cosmetics — were accumulating in waterways, oceans, and marine food chains. At the time, there was no consumer-facing tool to help shoppers identify and avoid products containing microplastics, and the Zero Plastic Inside label was developed to fill that gap.

The program initially focused on rinse-off products such as face scrubs and toothpastes, where microbeads were most prevalent. Over time, the scope expanded to include leave-on products and a broader range of plastic polymer ingredients beyond just microbeads. The Beat the Microbead app — which allows consumers to scan product barcodes and check for microplastic ingredients — was developed alongside the label and has been downloaded millions of times globally. The campaign has grown into an international coalition involving NGOs from dozens of countries, and the Zero Plastic Inside label has been adopted by brands across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond. The program's influence has been credited with contributing to legislative action, including microbead bans in the United States (2015), the United Kingdom, and the European Union.