WIPPES Act

This bill, called the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act, makes companies put a clear “Do Not Flush” label and symbol on certain premoistened wipes (like baby, cleaning, and personal care wipes) that aren’t meant to be flushed, following industry guidelines for the symbol. The label must be easy to see on the front of the package and visible when wipes are dispensed, with minimum size and high-contrast rules so regular shoppers can notice it.

• Who is affected: Businesses that make, package, or sell these wipes in the U.S. and are responsible for the product’s labeling or retail packaging.
• What changes:
  • Packages must show the “Do Not Flush” phrase and the symbol on the main display panel; for dispensers, it must be visible each time a wipe is pulled. Labels must be at least 2% of the front panel area, high contrast, and not hidden by seams or folds. There are special rules for tubs, flexible packs, bulk packs, and very small single-wipe packets.
  • Companies may not say or imply the wipes can be flushed.
  • The Federal Trade Commission will enforce the rules and may issue regulations to carry them out; violations are treated like unfair or deceptive acts.
  • States can’t set different labeling rules; they must match this national standard.
• When: These requirements start one year after the law is enacted.