November 7, 2016
France has sent a notification to the European Commission (EC) on its ‘Decree Prohibiting the Placement on the Market of Cotton Buds for Domestic Use which Have a Plastic Stem, Provided for in the Second Paragraph of Point III of Article L541-10-5 of the Environmental Code.’ It bans cotton buds - for domestic use - that have a plastic stem.
The ban is part of the country's legislative provisions to reduce plastic marine litter.
It will take effect on January 1, 2020.