Statement by Lezlee Westine, President and CEO Personal Care Products Council In Response to House Passage of Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015
“We applaud today’s U.S. House passage of the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 (H.R. 1321), which creates a planned and pragmatic national phase-out process in the interest of both consumers and the personal care products and cosmetics industry.
“The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support, a testament to the leadership of Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr., (D-NJ) and Chairman Fred Upton, (R-MI), who brought stakeholders together to formulate the best plan of action for phasing out microbeads at the national level. 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. As a result, companies have voluntarily committed to replace solid plastic microbeads. We look forward to further progress as the Senate takes up this issue.”