
2025 No. 716 (W. 124)
Environmental Protection, Wales
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wet Wipes) (Wales) Regulations 2025
Made 18 June 2025
Coming into force 18 December 2026

The Welsh Ministers make the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3(1)(a), (b) and (c) of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Act 2023 (“the Act”).
Before making these Regulations, the Welsh Ministers have complied with the consultation requirements in accordance with section 3(2) of the Act.
In considering whether to exercise the power in section 3 of the Act, the Welsh Ministers have complied with their duty under section 4(1) of the Act.

In accordance with section 21(3) of the Act, a draft of these Regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, Senedd Cymru.
Title, coming into force and interpretation
1 

(1) The title of these Regulations is the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wet Wipes) (Wales) Regulations 2025.
(2) These Regulations come into force on 18 December 2026.
(3) In these Regulations, “the Act” (“y Ddeddf”) means the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Act 2023.
Amendment of paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the Act
2 

(1) The table in paragraph 1 of the Schedule (prohibited single-use plastic products) to the Act is amended as follows.
(2) Under the heading “other products”, after the entry for “cotton buds” insert—“
Wet wipes Exemption 1In respect of the supply, or offer to supply, of a wet wipe designed or manufactured for use in connection with medical care or treatment.”
Amendment of paragraph 2 of the Schedule to the Act
3 
At the appropriate places in paragraph 2 of the Schedule to the Act insert—“
 “medical” (“meddygol”) includes surgical;”;“
 “treatment” (“triniaeth”) includes diagnosis;”;“
 “wet wipe” (“weip wlyb”) means a non-woven piece of fabric which has been pre-wetted.”
Huw Irranca-Davies
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, one of the Welsh Ministers
18th June 2025