Wet Wipes Containing Plastic
The Environmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
On 18 November 2025 DAERA introduced The Environmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025. These regulations prohibit the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic, with certain exemptions.
In the UK, an astonishing 30 billion wet wipes were placed on the market in 2021 with an estimate of 26 billion containing plastic.
What is defined as a wet wipe?
Wet wipes are defined as ‘A non-woven piece of fabric which has been prewetted and which is not designed or intended to be re-used’.
What is the problem?
Wet wipes containing plastic are an unnecessary source of plastic, which negatively impact the environment, contributing to plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans. They persist in the environment when they are disposed of, breaking down into microplastics over time which can be ingested by marine and riverine animals, and be harmful to human health by entering into our food chain and water supply.
100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone, from birds to fish to other marine organisms. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by plastics.
Wet wipes containing plastic which are disposed of appropriately can still cause damage to the environment. As wet wipes can’t be recycled those that are appropriately disposed of tend to enter the residual waste stream and are either landfilled or incinerated.
Evidence suggests that to produce the raw materials needed to make a single wet wipe containing plastic leads to 35% more greenhouse gases than one using alternative natural based materials.
Legislation
DAERA has introduced regulations to tackle the problem of wet wipes containing plastic and the corresponding impacts of plastic and microplastic pollution. This is in alignment with the Department's commitment to reduce plastic pollution within The NI Environmental Improvement Plan published on 27 September 2024.
All UK nations are united in introducing legislation to ban wet wipes containing plastic. Wales introduced their regulations in June 2025, with England following in November 2025. Scotland will introduce their legislation in due course.
The regulations prohibit the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic (with certain exemptions) to reduce the impact of plastic and microplastic pollution in the natural and marine environment.
There is an 18-month transition period from the date the regulations were made, affording retailers adequate time to use up existing stock and source plastic free alternative. This therefore means that the regulations will come in effect in Northern Ireland on 18 May 2027.
The Objective
The aim of the regulations is to restrict the use of wet wipes containing plastic in a domestic setting where suitable alternatives exist to tackle the environmental impacts of plastic and microplastic pollution. Wet wipes containing plastic are more likely to be incorrectly disposed of and find their way into the natural and marine environment. It will also reduce plastic waste to landfill and incineration, litter pollution and the associated harms to the marine environment and animal health.
Consultation & Government Response
A UK wide consultation on options around a ban on wet wipes containing plastic was held from 14 October to 25 November 2023. A Government response to the consultation was published on Monday 22 April 2024. The results of the consultation provided essential feedback with a very strong show of support for the banning of wet wipes containing plastic.
Enforcement
New penalties and offences will be introduced after the 18-month transition period. Enforcement will be reactive as necessary. However with the transition period it is envisaged compliance will be high.
Exemptions
Consultations were carried out and responses and stakeholder engagement identified the need for exemptions to be incorporated for medical and industrial purposes.
Exemptions have been included for the sale of wet wipes containing plastic for use in business and medical settings including to individuals for medical reasons. They can be provided by registered pharmacies.
FAQ
Can non-plastic wet wipes be flushed?
Consumers are still encouraged not to flush wet wipes as many wipes marketed as flushable do not break down quickly in sewers. As well as the plastics directly contained in wipes, incorrect disposal can also contribute to fatbergs. This results in indirect plastic pollution as fatbergs are a cause of overflows which can disperse macro and micro plastics into the wider environment.
The Environmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
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New rules to ban sale and supply of plastic wet wipes being introduced