Following in the footsteps of other nations attempting to curb plastic pollution, Japan’s parliament unanimously approved a measure that would encourage businesses there to limit the use of microplastics in products such as cosmetics.

Yet the bill, which was introduced on Friday, does not include sanctions for those who fail to comply with the measure, leaving some to wonder how effective the bill will be at reducing plastic use.

Although little is known about their impact on human health, scientists continue to express concern over where the tiny plastic shards turn up — in everything from seafood to bottled water.

This news comes on the heels of a study conducted last year when a team of researchers caught and examined fish across Japan. Upon examining their catch, researchers determined that roughly 40 percent of their catch had microplastics in their digestive systems.

This news also comes after Japan (and the United States) opted out of a charter signed by five other countries that would seek to limit plastic pollution.

Yet, the Japanese government insists that it has started efforts toward curbing plastic pollution as major manufacturers in that country have already begun to eliminate plastic microbeads from their products.