Wet Wipes Containing Plastic
The NI Executive together with the UK Government, Welsh Government and Scottish Government are all committed to tackling plastic pollution and its impact on our environment, economy and health.
Our goal is to maximise resource efficiency and minimise plastic waste, by following the principles of the waste hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This includes moving away from a take, make, waste model towards a circular economy for plastic. Banning wet wipes containing plastic, where suitable alternatives exist, will reduce plastic and microplastic pollution in the natural and marine environment.
Type of Change
Voluntary
Affected Stakeholders
- Manufacturers
- Retailers
- Consumers (short-term impact)
- General public
Exemptions for
- Medical purposes
- Industrial purposes
Changes
The Northern Ireland Executive, together with the UK Government, Welsh Government and Scottish Government, have taken the decision to proceed with legislation to ban the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic across the UK. There will be an 18-month transition period to allow manufacturers adequate time to transition to producing plastic-free wet wipes and to sell excess stock.
Status
The Northern Ireland Executive and the other UK nations published the Government Response to the Joint Consultation on 22 April 2024. Summary of responses and government response - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
It was agreed by the Executive on 19 November 2024, that DAERA could progress with making the Statutory Rule. The laying of the regulations was approved by the Executive on 30 April 2025.
Expected Timeline
The Environmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 will be made in December 2025. The regulations will come into force 18 months after they are made to allow businesses time to deplete existing stock and transition to more environmentally friendly alternatives.