The State of Wipes Labeling Laws
In late March, the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act, known as the WIPPES Act (H.R. 2269/S. 1092) was reintroduced in Congress, marking its third venture to the committees and floors of Congress. Since its initial introduction in the 117th Congress, INDA and its members have advocated for this bipartisan legislation. The WIPPES Act has already seen early success this session of Congress, advancing out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on a voice vote. Last year, supporters of the bill were pleased that the legislation passed the full House of Representatives on a wide bipartisan vote, however, there was not enough time for the bill to be taken up by the Senate before Congress adjourned.
The WIPPES Act is the culmination of years of teamwork between the nonwovens industry and wastewater stakeholders, reflecting the success of similar “Do Not Flush” labeling mandates for non-flushable wipes already implemented in seven states, including California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington. A similar state-level bill is pending in Hawaii as of April 2025. The WIPPES Act aims to preempt the growing patchwork of legislation at the state level by creating a consistent national standard that requires clear and visible “Do Not Flush” labeling on non-flushable wipe packaging.
If signed into law, the WIPPES Act would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which would allow the Commission to consult with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, or other agencies as needed. The FTC’s ability to enforce violations of the WIPPES Act would begin one year after the bill is passed.
This crucial legislation will create positive outcomes for the environment, wastewater agencies, consumers, and manufacturers by mandating uniform “Do Not Flush” labeling for the covered products to be displayed on the principal display panel, with other highly detailed placement and size standards. This clear visual indication and strong consumer education initiatives, including those conducted by our friends at the Responsible Flushing Alliance, will raise awareness about the proper disposal of these items.
A Look Back at Proposed Wipes Policy
The WIPPES Act garnered strong bipartisan backing during the 118th Congress. Last year, the bill was favorably reported out of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and subsequently passed on the House floor with a vote of 351-56.
This decisive bipartisan vote demonstrates a shared commitment from both parties to enhance consumer guidance through standardized labeling requirements at the federal level, protect wastewater infrastructure, and encourage responsible disposal practices. Unfortunately, the legislation did not have a scheduled committee hearing in the Senate before the close of the 118th Congress.
Back in 2022, Congresswoman Lisa McClain and Congressman Alan Lowenthal introduced the Protecting Infrastructure and Promoting Environmental Stewardship (PIPES) Act, which would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to establish standards for flushable wipes and require wipes that are marketed as being flushable to comply with those standards, including for civil penalties for noncompliance. The bill ultimately did not make it out of committee, but Congresswoman McClain continues to champion similar policy priorities in the WIPPES Act.
Flushability
Since 2004, flushability has been an area of focus for INDA in North America and EDANA in Europe. The two associations formed industry-based task forces to address the flushability of nonwoven disposable products. Technical experts from member companies collaborated to develop a definition of flushability, a technical assessment, and test methods. The test methods were based on the combined experience of the nonwoven disposable products industry and drew upon expertise from academia, consultancy, and the wastewater industry.
In 2008, both Associations issued the First Guidelines for Assessing the Flushability of Disposable Nonwoven Products to help wipe manufacturers assess the flushability of their products into the wastewater stream. The second edition was published in 2009, the third in 2013, and the fourth in 2018. These guidelines’ latest version, colloquially known as “GD-4,” is available online through INDA and
EDANA’s websites.
Increasingly, in the United States, manufacturers are utilizing a flushability specification authored by the International Wastewater Services Flushability Group (IWFSG) in 2020. This specification utilizes multiple tests from the INDA/EDANA GD-4 standard with a modified slosh box dispersion test.
INDA and EDANA continue to work on flushability, particularly through a committee exploring flushability standards within the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Importantly, the WIPPES Act and state-level “Do Not flush” legislation, while primarily focusing on non-flushable wipes, ensure that wipes containing plastic fibers cannot make claims to flushability, reinforcing trust among consumers and wastewater operators that wipes marketed as flushable do not contain plastic.
What’s Next for the WIPPES Act?
The reintroduction of the WIPPES Act symbolizes years of bipartisan backing in Congress and cooperative efforts between the nonwoven industry and wastewater agencies. This legislation, along with its corresponding bill, is on track to establish a unified federal standard for “Do Not Flush” labeling, ensuring that consumers across all markets are well-informed about the proper disposal methods for the products they purchase.
INDA proudly continues its endorsement of the WIPPES Act, which received overwhelming bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024. Our industry is dedicated to responsibly managing wipes not designed for flushing, thereby protecting public infrastructure and the environment. INDA commends the sponsors for their comprehensive vision in tackling this issue, and we look forward to ongoing collaboration with the wastewater sector and other stakeholders to support the swift passage of this bill in Congress.
During the 2025 INDA Advocacy and Fly-in Summit, more than a dozen INDA members joined our government affairs team in Washington, D.C., for two days of roundtable discussions, guest speakers, networking, and meetings on Capitol Hill with their members of Congress and their staff. During the day on the Hill, attendees met with eighteen congressional offices, promoting the WIPPES Act and establishing new relationships in the 119th Congress. The WIPPES Act was well received by both Democrats and Republicans, reiterating the bill’s bipartisan support.
It can take several months to move a bill from one chamber to the other, yet if the support for the WIPPES Act from last year continues, we are optimistic about its prospects. Wipe manufacturers should not be subject to playing whack-a-mole as states roll out “Do Not Flush” labeling laws, and the WIPPES would work to preempt these laws and standardize labeling requirements nationwide.
INDA Government Affairs publishes a bi-monthly newsletter for INDA members that covers the latest news on trade, tariffs, state and federal legislation, and a host of other policy issues relevant to the nonwoven industry. To join the mailing list for the “Washington Alert,” visit our website at https://www.inda.org/news/newsletter-signup/.
For more on Flushability, visit https://www.inda.org/issues-advocacy/flushability/.
