New Federal Law Mandates Clear 'Do Not Flush' Labels on Wipes to Prevent $1 Billion in Sewer Clogs

The Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act—or the WIPPES Act—is here to solve a problem that’s literally clogging up our infrastructure and costing us big: those disposable wipes that people keep flushing. This bill mandates that manufacturers and sellers of specific pre-moistened, nonwoven disposable wipes (think baby wipes, disinfecting wipes, or makeup removal wipes made with petrochemical fibers) must clearly display a “Do Not Flush” symbol and notice on their packaging.

The Clog Crisis: Why Your Wipes Matter

If you’ve ever had a plumber bill for a backed-up drain, you know how expensive clogs are. For municipalities, those costs are astronomical. Wipes that don't break down—often called “flushable” even when they aren't—are the primary culprit behind massive sewer clogs known as “fatbergs.” The WIPPES Act tackles this head-on by creating a federal labeling standard. Crucially, the bill prohibits companies from making any claim, written or implied, that these covered products can or should be flushed. This is a direct shot at the misleading marketing that has caused so much damage to public works systems over the last decade.

Labeling Rules: Visibility is Key

The bill gets seriously specific about how these warnings must look, recognizing that a tiny logo buried on the back doesn't cut it. The symbol and the “Do Not Flush” notice must each take up at least 2% of the main display panel’s surface area and must be in high contrast to the background—meaning dark on light or light on dark. If you’re buying a cylindrical tub of wipes, the label needs to be visible right where you pull the wipe out, or prominently featured on the flip lid, covering at least 8% of that lid. Basically, manufacturers have one year after the Act becomes law to redesign their packaging so you can’t miss the warning, no matter if you’re pulling a wipe out of a soft pack or a rigid tub (Sec. 2).

Who’s Policing the Plumbing?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is in charge of enforcing these new rules. Any violation of the labeling or the ban on “flushable” claims will be treated as an unfair or deceptive business practice under the FTC Act. This means the penalties and legal process are the same as for other consumer protection violations. This move gives a single federal agency the power to standardize compliance across the country. However, this also means that any existing state or local laws regarding “Do Not Flush” labeling are overridden by this new federal standard. While standardization is good for national manufacturers, it removes the ability of local governments to set stricter rules if they felt the federal standard wasn't enough for their specific infrastructure needs (Sec. 2).

The Real-World Impact on Your Wallet and Your City

For most people, the immediate impact is clearer packaging information, which is a definite win for avoiding expensive home plumbing issues. For municipal wastewater systems, this bill is huge. By clarifying disposal instructions, they anticipate a reduction in the maintenance costs associated with breaking up clogs, which are often paid for by local taxes and utility fees. On the flip side, manufacturers and retailers will bear the cost of redesigning and printing new packaging to meet the specific size and placement requirements, costs which could eventually be passed along to consumers. Ultimately, this is a clear-cut case of infrastructure protection and consumer clarity being prioritized over confusing marketing.