U.S. House of Representatives passes WIPPES Act to standardize “Do Not Flush” labeling

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act – H.R. 2964, a bipartisan bill that establishes a national standard for “Do Not Flush” labeling on non-flushable wipes. The bill, which passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in December 2023, will now move to the Senate Committee on Science, Commerce, and Energy for further consideration.

The legislation addresses a growing concern in the sanitation sector: blockages and damage to sewer infrastructure caused by the improper disposal of wipes not designed to be flushed. By creating a uniform labeling standard, the WIPPES Act aims to guide consumer behavior and reduce maintenance costs for wastewater systems across the country.

The bill is the result of several years of collaboration between the nonwovens industry and wastewater professionals. Similar laws have already been enacted in seven U.S. states, and this federal initiative seeks to harmonize those efforts under one nationwide standard.

“INDA has championed this legislation for the past two years and we are encouraged to see it pass out of the House. We extend our thanks to the bill sponsors, our industry and wastewater partners, and INDA members as we take another step forward to make ‘Do Not Flush’ labeling nationwide”, said Wes Fisher, Director of Government Affairs at INDA.

The WIPPES Act was sponsored in the House by Representative Lisa McClain (R-MI) and Representative Mary Peltola (D-AK). In the Senate, the bill was introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).

Earlier this year, the Senate version of the bill was reintroduced with the same objective of establishing consistent federal requirements for the labeling of non-flushable wipes.

The measure is seen as a key regulatory step for both the nonwovens disposable hygiene segment and the tissue industry, where environmental responsibility and consumer education are increasingly important.

A clear and consistent labeling standard not only helps avoid sewer blockages but also enhances brand transparency, regulatory compliance, and sustainability positioning in the marketplace.A