WIPPES Act
Summary
What This Bill Does
The WIPPES Act requires covered disposable wipe products to carry clear "Do Not Flush" labeling and symbols. It applies to covered entities that place covered products into commerce and sets label placement rules for cylindrical packages, flexible film packages, refillable tubs, and bulk packaging.
The bill is aimed at reducing sewer blockages and wastewater infrastructure problems caused when consumers flush wipes that are not designed to be flushed.
Who Benefits and How
Wastewater utilities, municipal sewer systems, local governments, environmental agencies, and public health agencies benefit because clearer labeling can reduce clogs, pump failures, treatment costs, and emergency maintenance tied to flushed wipes. Consumers benefit from clearer package instructions about what should not go into toilets.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Wipe manufacturers, product distributors, private-label sellers, and retailers of covered wipe products must add required label notices and symbols to product packaging. They must adjust packaging layouts so the notice is visible where wipes are dispensed.
The burden is a product-labeling compliance duty rather than a new spending program.
Key Provisions
- Requires covered wipe products to display a clear and conspicuous "Do Not Flush" label notice and symbol.
- Requires label placement on cylindrical or near-cylindrical packaging where users can see it while dispensing wipes.
- Requires label placement on flexible film packaging and dispensing-side panels.
- Applies the labeling requirement to covered entities that place covered products into commerce.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Requires covered disposable wipes to carry clear Do Not Flush labeling to reduce wastewater infrastructure damage from improperly flushed products.
Key Policy Areas
Environment, Consumer Protection, Trade
Primary Purpose
Requires covered disposable wipes to carry clear Do Not Flush labeling to reduce wastewater infrastructure damage from improperly flushed products.
Policy Domains
Whole bill
Identified Gains
- Wastewater utilities
- Municipal sewer systems
- Local governments
- Environmental agencies
- Public health agencies
- Consumers
Identified Costs
- Wipe manufacturers
- Product distributors
- Private-label wipe sellers
- Retailers of covered wipes
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
Passed SenateHeld at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by …
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR …
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz …
Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendment
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. …
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported …
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, …
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Packaging companies producing wipes containers, Personal care products manufacturers producing wipes
Positive-direction: Packaging companies producing wipes containers
Negative-direction: Personal care products manufacturers producing wipes
Disposable wipes manufacturers (baby wipes, cleaning wipes, personal care wipes)
Municipal wastewater utilities and treatment facilities
Federal Trade Commission regulatory staff
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology