On 18 December 2020, the EU Commission published the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2151, which lays down marking specifications on single-use plastic products listed in Part D of the Annex to the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive 2019/904. Among the products listed in Part D are also wet wipes. Wet wipes sold in the EU and with a surface area of 10 cm2 or more, will have to bear an additional marking, which states that the product contains plastics and should not be flushed due to potential danger to the marine environment. This marking can be seen below:
Annex II of the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2151, which includes the above marking, also gives further details on the use of the marking, such as the position, size and design. It also states that the above marking may be added as a sticker to all packaging of wet wipes placed on the market before 4 July 2022.
The Regulation also states that the text of the marking shall be written in the official language of the Member State where the product is placed on the market.
The Regulation will enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will apply in all EU Member States from 3 July 2021.
