The WIPPES Act
Federal: The WIPPES Act
The Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act (S.1350/H.R. 2964), or WIPPES Act, is a key Congressional effort to provide a federal standard and national enforcement of Do Not Flush labeling for wipes labeling. The WIPPES Act has advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and now awaits a vote on the House Floor.
The WIPPES Act requires entities responsible for the labeling or retail packaging of certain premoistened, nonwoven wipes, including all baby wipes and any wipe used in the bathroom containing plastic (e.g., baby wipes, cleaning wipes, personal care wipes), to label such products clearly and conspicuously with the phrase Do Not Flush and accompanying symbol as depicted under specified industry guidelines.
The WIPPES Act and the existing state laws do not pertain to wet wipes labeled as flushable as they are made with short, plant- based fibers specifically engineered to breakdown in water similar to dry toilet paper.
The Responsible Flushing Alliance is happy to support this bill alongside industry and wastewater partners.
Seven states have proper labeling of wet wipes laws on the books. The laws require manufacturers of non-flushable wet wipes to prominently display the Do Not Flush symbol and notice on all baby wipes and other wet wipes that contain petrochemical fibers and could be used in the bathroom. The goal of these laws is to help consumers understand that Do Not Flush labeled wipes always go in the trash, never the toilet. These laws do not apply to wipes labeled flushable, as they are engineered differently from non-flushable wipes.