I hope we can all agree these are products we all use almost unconsciously every day.
But here’s a quick question for you - have you ever paid attention to the packaging in which these wipes are? Have you perhaps even gone a step further and wondered what labels should be affixed to such packaging? If you haven’t, then you’re not the only one.
Today, I invite you to join me on the path of discovering the requirements for labeling moisturizing wipes in accordance with environmental legislation.
Let's start, as usual in such cases, with the legislation – which legislation prescribes labeling of wet wipes packaging?
The answer is Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2151.
This document sets out harmonized specifications for the labeling of wet wipes. These are pre-moistened wipes for personal care and household use. All details – if you would like to read more – can be found in Annex II of this Regulation.
In this blog however, we are interested in the packaging itself and its labeling according to environmental legislation.
Packaging of moisturizing wipes (i.e. pre-moistened wipes for personal care and household use) with an area of 10 cm2 or more must bear the following marking:
This label is intended to inform consumers about the presence of plastic in the product; waste disposal methods to be avoided with this product and the consequent negative impact of disposal or other inappropriate waste disposal methods on the environment.
If you take a closer look at the label, then you will notice a black line around it. I would like to point out that this line around the label is not part of the label itself. Still, it’s there on purpose. Its purpose is to show a thin white line on a white background that surrounds the label, thus setting a “boundary” between the label and other packaging elements.
Something else needs to be highlighted. As you already know from the chemical legislation, dates are extremely important here. In this case, it is July 4, 2022. Why?
This date is the cut-off date when marking the packaging.
The label of the packaging of moisturizing wipes placed on the market before 4 July 2022 may be determined with stickers. After this date, however, the label will have to appear directly on the packaging itself.
What about the text under the label, is that also determined?
Yes, rules also apply to informative text under graphic symbols. The text on the label must be in the official language or languages of the Member States in which the single-use plastic product is placed on the market.
From the last sentence, it is clear that we are constantly talking about products (wipes) that contain plastic. And the packaging for such wipes must therefore be properly labeled. However, if wipes are made of 100% natural materials (e.g. cotton), such labeling is not possible.
Before concluding, let me list a few more examples from practice to which the above refers:
- moisturizing wipes for personal care,
- hand sanitizers,
- wipes for cleaning surfaces,
- wipes for disinfecting surfaces,
- wipes for cleaning the car interior.
Now you know something new about labeling moisturizing wipes in terms of environmental legislation. Next time you hold them in your hand, you can quickly check if they are properly marked.
However, if you need help with the challenges of chemical legislation – you can also ask about product labeling requirements – you can get in touch with me by writing at simona.miklavcic@bens-consulting.eu.
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