Labelling obligation for single-use plastic
With the single-use plastic guideline, the EU is taking a clear stance and resolves: something finally has to change so that we can protect our environment. This includes a standardized labelling for single-use plastic in wet wipes or feminine hygiene products. It has to be clear for consumers how products are to be disposed of and whether they contain single-use plastic.
In the middle of 2019 the EU already newly defined the handling of single-use plastic in an extensive guideline. As a start, a total of ten single-use plastic products, were identified which, at 70%, account for the greater share of the plastic waste in our oceans and on our coasts. The contamination is to be brought to a halt as a result of a range of political measures such as market restrictions, labelling requirements and consumer reduction targets. You will find more on this HERE.
In the spotlight: wet wipes and feminine hygiene products
Ladies’ hygiene products and wet wipes are on the list of the ten single-use plastic products currently under scrutiny by the EU. Many of these products contain fossil-based synthetic fibers which pollute the environment if not disposed of correctly. In the „Beach Clean“ run by the Marine Conservation Society volunteers discovered, on average, 35 wet wipes per kilometer of beach respectively the remains of these.
Labelling obligation for manufacturers as of July 2021
As of July 2021 wet wipes and feminine hygiene products must be labelled in a standardized manner: Consumers should be able to recognize quickly from the packaging whether products contain single-use plastic and what the correct form of disposal is. The EU-guideline also foresees an obligation for member states when it comes to sensitization measures, which aim at awakening awareness for the challenges surrounding single-use plastic. As of December 2024 there will be greater manufacturer responsibility: producers of wet wipes will be asked to contribute to the costs of waste material management and the cleaning of the environment as well as measures to raise awareness.
VEOCEL™: already an excellent choice
Anyone wishing to do without fossil-based single-use plastic in wet wipes as of now, can fall back on wipes with VEOCEL™ fibers. VEOCEL™ fibers are made from the renewable raw material of wood and are completely biodegradable in water, soil and compost within only a few weeks. The VEOCEL™ logo on the packaging gives consumers guidance even before the labelling obligation enters into force: if a product features the VEOCEL™ logo, it only contains biodegradable cellulose fibers.
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