The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 prohibits the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of rinse-off cosmetics containing plastic microbeads. This new law also applies to products that are both cosmetics and non-prescription (also called “over-the-counter" or "OTC") drugs, such as toothpastes. The act is meant to minimize contamination among marine life. This marine life will consume the microbeads and eventually we consume this marine life. 

The Act was passed by President Obama in 2015 but stopping production only took into effect in July 1, 2017. The items are still available to purchase and will stop being introduced in July 1, 2018. 

It is necessary for us to boycott these products because it will speed up the process and more marine life will be spared. 

You can find what products to avoid on, http://www.beatthemicrobead.org/product-lists/

Information found on:

“Laws & Regulations - The Microbead-Free Waters Act: FAQs.” U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/GuidanceRegulation/LawsRegulations/ucm531849.htm