Consultation: proposal to ban the sale of plastic-stemmed cotton buds in Scotland

The Scottish Government has opened a consultation to gather views from stakeholders on the addition of secondary legislation, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, to introduce a ban on the manufacture and the sale of plastic-stemmed cotton buds. The proposed bans aim to further protect seas from plastic pollution.

The government is seeking the views of any organisation or individual with an interest in these matters to ensure introducing secondary legislation fully addresses the environmental threat of plastic pollution caused by plastic-stemmed cotton buds entering the seas.

Reflecting the importance of the issue of marine plastic pollution, widespread awareness amongst relevant stakeholders and a wish to introduce legislation at the earliest opportunity, the consultation will run for an abbreviated period of eight weeks, from 27 April to 22 June 2018. Following this consultation, legislative proposals will be brought forward for scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament.