U.S. House of Representatives passes ban on plastic microbeads

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a ban on plastic microbeads in over-the-counter and personal-care products, starting in 2017.

The Microbead Free Waters Act of 2015 passed the House on Dec. 7. The legislation would ban the manufacture of microbeads beginning in 2017 and eliminate their use in cosmetics and over-the-counter drugs in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

The beads, some studies say, can pass through sewage treatment plants and pollute waterways.

Before the measure can become law, however, it must pass the U.S. Senate.

In a Dec. 7 statement, the American Chemistry Council praised the legislation. “Plastics play a vital role in our economy – from helping build and maintain homes to advancing new technologies,” the industry group said. “[This legislation] is an important step to ensure we have one sensible, national standard for phasing out the use of solid plastic microbeads in personal care products across America.”