These Regulations introduce a prohibition on supplying or offering to supply wet wipes containing plastic to end users in Northern Ireland. The goal is to reduce plastic pollution and protect the environment under the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. The Regulations include clearly defined exemptions, offences, and enforcement powers.
The Regulations ban the supply of plastic-containing wet wipes in the course of business, except in limited cases such as pharmacy-controlled supply and medical uses. They create new offences for unlawful supply, provide a due-diligence defence, and authorise DAERA and district councils to enforce compliance. Businesses must ensure their supply chains, retail practices, and procurement processes do not involve prohibited wet wipes.
Benefits of compliance:
