Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on the marine environment of banning microbeads in cosmetic products.

Microbeads, like other microplastics, do not biodegrade and therefore accumulate in the environment and can cause serious harm to marine life. There are also suitable, less harmful alternatives.

While some countries have opted to ban only those plastic particles added for exfoliating and cleansing purposes, our ban covers all microplastic particles in rinse-off personal care products. It is one of the toughest bans in the world.