Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Act 2023 (“the Act”). They are made under powers conferred by section 3(1)(a), (b) and (c) of the Act.

Regulation 2 adds “wet wipes” to the list of prohibited single-use plastic products in column 1 of the table at paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the Act. This amendment makes a wet wipe that meets the definition of a single-use plastic product a prohibited single-use plastic product for the purposes of the Act.

Regulation 2 also provides for an exemption to the prohibition, by amending column 2 of the table at paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the Act. The exemption applies to single-use wet wipes that contain plastic that are designed or manufactured to be used in connection with medical care or treatment.

Regulation 3 adds the definitions of “wet wipe”, “medical” and “treatment” to paragraph 2 of the Schedule to the Act, for the purpose of the table at paragraph 1 of the Schedule.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.