As each country in the United Kingdom must establish its own legislation on this matter, it is now England’s turn, after Wales, to publish its regulations banning plastic-containing wipes.
Adopted on 18 November (and published on 25 November), Statutory Instrument 2025 No. 1218, entitled The Environmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) (England) Regulations 2025, prohibits any person from supplying or offering to supply wet wipes containing plastic to an end user in England.
The stated aim is to prevent them from causing pollution of the environment and harm to the health of animals.
The Regulation provides for several exemptions to the ban, where wipes are supplied:
• in registered pharmacies, without these being able to advertise them, and provided that this is at the consumer’s request;
• for medical purposes, under the supervision of a healthcare professional;
• to businesses or local authorities.
A system of civil penalties is provided for in the event of a breach of these rules.
This Statutory Instrument will apply 18 months after its adoption, i.e. on 19 May 2027.
Wales has also legislated along the same lines, with a ban effective from 18 December 2026.
Source
• Statutory Instrument 2025 No.1218 - The Environmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) (England) Regulations 2025, legislation.gov.uk, 25 November 2025
