Jeff Elster

The UK has banned the use of plastic microbeads in personal care and cosmetic products beginning January 9, 2018. The UK joins the US which passed the Microbead Free Waters Act of 2015 banning micobeads from cosmetic products. Microbeads are tiny plastic particles, often used in toothpaste and exfoliants, that find their way into streams, rivers and oceans. One of the consequences of the introduction of microbeads into waterways is that fish mistake them for food, introducing harmful substances which can also move up the food chain. There are numerous all-natural and biodegradable microbead replacements available. Composition Materials Co., Inc.

Amidst rising concerns that microplastics are polluting oceans and waterways, it has been reported that the United Kingdom will begin to outline legislation later this year to ban microbeads from cosmetics products such as soaps, scrubs and toothpaste. Many species of marine life have been found to ingest microbeads, mistaking them for food, leading to potential health concerns. With the U.S. ban on Microbeads going into effect in 2017, other countries are also working on legislation including Canada and Australia. France passed legislation banning microbeads in cosmetic scrubs beginning in 2018. Composition Materials has been supplying the cosmetics industry with all-natural scrubs and exfoliants for

On December 28, 2015, President Barack Obama signed into law the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015. This bipartisan legislation bans the sale and manufacture of products containing plastic microbeads, which are commonly found in personal care products, soaps, scrubs and toothpaste. The scientific research led by 5 Gyres Institute highlighted the accumulation of millions of microbeads in waterways, endangering marine life which mistakenly feeds on the colorful plastic spheres. Prior to the federal ban, a number of states had passed microbead bans including California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana and New Jersey. The Microbead-Free Waters Act bans manufacturing of products containing plastic microbeads effective July 1st,