Vetting Methodology
Our goal is to help UK consumers make informed choices about microplastics in everyday products. This page explains how we research and rate products, what data sources we use, and the limitations of our approach.
Our 3-Tier Rating System
Based on available ingredient data, each product on our site receives one of three status ratings:
Verified Free
Product materials and ingredients have been checked against known microplastic ingredients and synthetic polymer databases. Based on available data, the product does not contain known microplastic-shedding materials. This status is assigned when manufacturer ingredient lists, material safety data sheets, or independent testing results confirm the absence of synthetic polymers commonly associated with microplastic release.
Likely Free
The product uses materials that are unlikely to shed microplastics — such as glass, stainless steel, natural rubber, uncoated wood, or certified food-grade silicone. However, the product has not been independently tested specifically for all microplastic pathways. Our analysis suggests it is a safe alternative based on its material composition, but we cannot guarantee zero microplastic release without laboratory verification.
Contains Microplastics
The product contains known synthetic polymer ingredients (such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or polyethylene terephthalate) or is made from materials documented to shed microplastic particles during normal use. These products are included on our site for comparison purposes — to help consumers understand which products to avoid.
Data Sources
Our research draws on the following publicly available sources:
- Manufacturer ingredient lists — product packaging, official websites, and safety data sheets provided by manufacturers
- ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) — the EU/EEA database of registered substances, including microplastic definitions under the REACH restriction
- Beat the Microbead — the Plastic Soup Foundation's database of microplastic ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products (where applicable)
- Published research — peer-reviewed studies on microplastic release from specific materials (e.g., polypropylene cutting boards, nylon tea bags)
- UK retailer product descriptions — material specifications listed by Amazon.co.uk, John Lewis, and other UK retailers
Research Process
For each product we evaluate, we follow these steps:
- Identify the product's materials and ingredient composition from available sources
- Cross-reference ingredients against known microplastic and synthetic polymer databases
- Evaluate the product's material type against published research on microplastic shedding
- Assign a rating based on the weight of available evidence
- Document the rationale and note any uncertainties
Important: What We Can and Cannot Say
Our analysis is based on available ingredient data. We do not conduct laboratory testing. Product formulations may change without notice. Manufacturers may update ingredients between production batches.
We recommend checking product packaging for the latest ingredient lists and formulation details before making purchasing decisions. Our ratings represent our assessment at the time of review, based on the data available to us.
We make no health claims. Microplastic Free provides factual information about product ingredients and materials. We do not provide medical advice or make claims about health outcomes. Consult appropriate professionals for health-related decisions.
Re-Verification
We aim to re-verify product information periodically. Each product listing includes a "last verified" date so you can see how recently the data was checked. If a product's formulation changes, we update the rating accordingly.
Report an Inaccuracy
If you believe a product rating is incorrect, or if you have information about a product formulation change, we want to hear from you. Please contact us at hello@microplasticfree.co.uk with the product name and details. We investigate all reports and update ratings where warranted.
Last updated: February 2026