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Beating the Microbead: How private environmental governance has influenced the regulatory process of banning microbeads in the UK
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This paper examines how private environmental governance — specifically industry campaigns against microbeads in personal care products — influenced government regulation in multiple countries. It shows that industry-led voluntary action can accelerate formal bans, offering a model for addressing other emerging plastic pollution issues.
Microplastics pollution in marine environments is one of the top global emerging conservation issues (Sutherland et al., 2010), with science gradually emerging about its detrimental impacts on animal welfare and human health. Microbeads have been identified as one source of microplastic pollution intentionally added to personal care and cosmetics products (PCCPs) (UNEP, 2015). Microbead governance has been subject to increasing involvement of private actors such as NGOs and businesses, besides government interventions through regulatory bans. Previous research suggests that private environmental governance has ambiguous effects in terms of democratic decision-making and transparency. This study advances our understanding of the type and impacts of private governance in the regulatory process of microbeads in the UK, drawing on the qualitative analysis of 3 expert interviews and 56 documents submitted to the government during the parliamentary inquiry phase. The case study analysis suggests that private governance of microbeads, in the form of voluntary certification schemes and corporate self-regulation, has the potential to significantly influence regulatory processes through their influence on power and market dynamics, and their ability to create a common discourse.
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This study analyzes the political and advocacy factors that led to the passage of the US Microbead-free Waters Act of 2015, which banned plastic microbeads in personal care products. It identifies how scientific evidence, industry opposition, and public concern shaped the legislative outcome.
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This review examines existing government policies and regulations worldwide aimed at controlling microplastic pollution in water environments. While many countries have taken steps like banning microbeads in personal care products, the authors found that current efforts are insufficient to prevent microplastic release at scale. The study calls for stronger, more coordinated global regulations to protect both ecosystems and public health from microplastic contamination.
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