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Associations Responds to Microbead Issue

At hand is Microbead Free Waters Act passage in the Senate.

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The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers And Distributors (ICMAD) Association recognized passage by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 18 of a bill that is intended to eradicate the use of synthetic plastic microbeads in personal cleansing products.
 
Known as the Microbead-Free Waters Act, the bill, which was already passed by the House,  now awaits signature by President Obama to become law.
 
ICMAD President and CEO Pamela Jo Busiek stated, “We recognize the intention of the bill to provide a unitary approach at the Federal level to phase out the use of microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products. At the same time, we also acknowledge the proactive efforts of the cosmetic industry with its long history of self-regulation to get out ahead of any real or perceived problems. The industry has taken substantial steps to eliminate using plastic microbeads in products well in advance of the bill’s introduction, putting cosmetics and personal care companies in a position of advantage.”
 
Busiek contends that the research shows cosmetic microbeads remain a tiny fraction of all types of industrial uses, which in its entirety represents a miniscule contribution to the overall issue of marine plastic debris. Many companies have already voluntarily committed to replacing solid plastic microbeads with viable alternatives.
 
If signed into law, the bill would render products using synthetic plastic microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products adulterated effective Jan. 1, 2018, preempting state and local restrictions that are not parallel or identical to the Federal Law.
 
The move was applauded by the Personal Care Product Council, whose members have voluntarily removed microbeads from their products.


“We applaud today’s U.S. Senate passage of the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, which creates a planned and pragmatic national phase-out process in the interest of both consumers and the personal care products and cosmetics industry,” said Lezlee Westin, president and CEO, Personal Care Products Council.


“The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support from both the U.S. Senate and House, a testament to the leadership of Senators Rob Portman, (R-OH) and Kirsten Gillibrand, (D-NY), as well as Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr., (D-NJ) and Chairman Fred Upton, (R-MI), who brought together numerous and diverse stakeholders to address this important issue.  The industry is proud to be a part of that process and is prepared to fully phase out solid plastic microbeads in personal cleansing products by July 1, 2017.
 
 
“The House bill is aimed at the proliferation of conflicting state and local restrictions that create unnecessary disruption and confusion for both consumers and companies. 
 
 
“Solid, plastic microbeads are used in personal care cleansing products because of their safe and effective exfoliating properties. Research by independent scientists and nongovernmental organizations show that microbeads from all types of industrial uses are miniscule contributors to marine plastic debris; cosmetic microbeads are a tiny fraction of that. At the same time, our member companies take very seriously their role as environmental stewards of their products. As a result, companies have voluntarily committed to replace solid plastic microbeads. We look forward to this important bipartisan legislation making its way to President Obama’s desk and being signed into law.” 
 

 

 
 

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