Defra, the Scottish and Welsh governments and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland are seeking views on the UK's proposed ban on the use of plastic microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products.
The authorities are proposing to make it illegal to manufacture and sell cosmetics and personal care products containing small particles of plastic, which may harm the marine environment.
Microbeads are a common ingredient products such as face scrubs and toothpastes, and may be used in processes including industrial blasting which propels abrasive materials under high pressure to remove surface deposits such as paint.
The consultation closes on 28 February 2017.