Plastic-stemmed cotton buds

The Environmental Protection (Cotton Buds) (Scotland) Regulations 2019 (5 page(s), in English)

The draft regulations prohibit the manufacture and sale of plastic-stemmed cotton buds.

In the draft regulations:

·         "plastic" means a synthetic polymeric substance that can be moulded, extruded or physically manipulated into various solid forms and that retains its final manufactured shape during use in its intended applications;

·         "plastic-stemmed cotton bud" means a rod of plastic which has cotton wrapped around both ends;

Enforcement officers have powers of entry to carry out the necessary investigations in order to determine whether an offence has been committed. Breach of a prohibition is an offence, and a person guilty of an offence is liable:

1.    on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5000;

2.    on conviction on indictment, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding £5,000 or both. The draft regulations apply to Scotland only.