Highlights from Defra’s Plan For Water

Defra has recently published its Plan for Water which is Government’s integrated plan for delivering clean and plentiful water in England.

As part of this package, a couple of announcements and measures are of relevance to retailers:

• A consultation on changing the law to ban the sale of wet wipes (BRC expects to see a public consultation by the end of 2023)
• Defra will be writing to the advertising authorities and producers about using the word ‘flushable’ in wet wipes + will support the Water UK communication campaign ‘Bin the Wipe’ (BRC expects some measures on correct disposal of wipes via on-pack labelling)
• Defra expects industry to develop low cost, effective microfibre filters on washing machines and encourage their effective use.
• Defra wants to minimise the risks and impacts of chemicals and pesticides in rivers and seas, by proposing new restrictions on the use of ‘forever’ chemicals, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

We welcome your views and comments on these announcements.

BRC CSR will convene a members call to discuss the proposals on wet wipes, if you'd like to be involved please get in touch with Nadiya.

The topic of washing machine filters and PFAS would be covered in our Buying Community, contact Adrian.