The UK government is introducing a new ban on the sale of baby wipes containing plastic. This ban aims to reduce plastic waste and its impact on the environment.
In 2023, WaterWipes® worked closely with our colleagues in the industry, educating and advising on the details of the cosmetics wipe industry. This information was shared with The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) during the consultation process. One important piece was the definition of plastic. The UK Government have confirmed that the definitions of plastic do not include viscose, lyocell and cotton which we were pleased to see.
Ban on plastic wipes: The UK will soon prohibit the sale of all wipes containing plastic. This includes baby wipes, cosmetic wipes, moist toilet tissues, personal hygiene wipes, and cleaning wipes.
Timeline: The new rules will be in place by the end of 2024. After that, there will be an 18-month period for everyone to adapt to the changes.
What is considered a wet wipe? Any non-woven fabric piece soaked in liquid and not meant to be reused falls under this ban.
Definition of plastic: In England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, plastic is defined as a polymer that forms the main structure of the product, except natural polymers that haven’t been chemically changed. In Wales, the definition follows similar guidelines but is based on their own environmental protection laws.
Exclusions: The ban does not include natural fibres like viscose, lyocell, and cotton. However, it does cover biodegradable and compostable plastics such as PHA and PLA.
Exemptions: Wipes used for industrial and medical purposes will be exempt from this ban. Specific details on these exemptions will be provided in the legislation.
WaterWipes® are made using plant-based† and plastic free* wipes. Our change to plastic free wipes in 2021 means that this planned ban on plastic free wipes does not change how WaterWipes® are produced and distributed.
*The claim does not refer to the full product lifecycle nor the external plastic packing and relates to the wipes only
†Wipe made from regenerated cellulose (viscose) utilizing wood pulp as a precursor.
Transition Period: There’s an 18-month period to switch to non-plastic alternatives once the legislation is passed.
Seek Alternatives: Start looking for baby wipes that are free from plastic to stay ahead of the changes.
Find out more about how WaterWipes are made and where you can buy WaterWipes in the UK.
For more details, you can find the full government response on the GOV.UK website.
