WIPPES Act

The bill would require any entity responsible for labeling or retail packaging of covered premoistened nonwoven disposable wipes — including baby wipes, cleaning wipes, disinfecting wipes, and personal care wipes containing petrochemical-derived fibers — to display the phrase "Do Not Flush" and a standardized symbol clearly and conspicuously on the product packaging. Detailed placement and size rules vary by packaging type: cylindrical, flexible film, rigid, bulk, and combined products each have distinct requirements. The symbol and label notice must each cover at least 2 percent of the principal display panel and meet a 70-percent contrast threshold. Covered entities would also be prohibited from making any express or implied claim that a covered product can or should be flushed.

The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the requirements and may promulgate regulations to implement the bill, with optional consultation from the EPA, FDA, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Violations would be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the FTC Act. The bill would preempt any state or local labeling requirements for these products that are not identical to its federal standard.

Manufacturers, wholesalers, suppliers, and retailers that label or package premoistened nonwoven disposable wipes sold in the United States — including baby wipes, bathroom cleaning wipes, disinfecting wipes, and personal care wipes. Consumers who purchase these products would see standardized "Do Not Flush" warnings on packaging. State governments would lose authority to impose different or additional "Do Not Flush" labeling rules.

Companies selling covered wipes would need to redesign packaging to meet specific placement, size, and contrast requirements within one year of enactment. Any claim — even an implied one — that a product is flushable would expose a company to FTC enforcement action. States with existing or planned wipes-labeling laws would be preempted, meaning the federal standard becomes the only applicable rule nationwide.

Within one year of enactment, all covered entities must bring their product packaging into compliance. The FTC may issue regulations through the standard notice-and-comment rulemaking process (5 U.S.C. § 553) to clarify requirements, and may consult the EPA, FDA, or Consumer Product Safety Commission during that process. Violations are treated as violations of the FTC Act's unfair-or-deceptive-acts-or-practices provisions, triggering the FTC's standard civil enforcement powers and penalty authorities. No grant programs or agency reporting mandates to Congress are specified in the bill.