Overview
- The government has signed into law a ban on the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic in England following a public consultation.
- Enforcement is expected after the transition period in spring 2027, with Northern Ireland indicating equivalent rules will start in May 2027.
- Limited exemptions apply, including for medical use, and ministers will consider a future ban on manufacture once the sales ban is in force.
- Officials cite research showing wet wipes contribute to 94% of sewer blockages, costing about £200 million a year to fix and adding microplastics to waterways.
- Plastic‑free wipes are already on the market, major retailers such as Boots have removed plastic‑containing wipes, and ministers urge consumers to bin wipes rather than flush them.