Initial UK Government response to a consultation proposing a ban on the supply of plastic containing wet wipes

On April 22,2024 The Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP The UK Environment Secretary announced the next steps to ban the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic following overwhelming support during the recent consultation process.

Defra intend to bring forward the legislation for England ahead of summer recess, with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales following by the autumn as part of an aligned approach to bring the ban into force. The proposed ban will be introduced via secondary legislation under our Environmental Protection Act 1990.

An 18-month transition period will start from when legislation is passed to allow businesses time to prepare. Following consultation with industry, the ban will not include the manufacture of these products.

The government response also sets out exemptions to ensure that wet wipes containing plastic remain available where there is no viable alternative – such as for medical disinfectant purposes.

The full article can be downloaded here