Explanatory note

These Regulations prohibit persons from supplying or offering to supply wet wipes containing plastic (see definitions in regulation 2). The Regulations apply only in Northern Ireland.

Regulation 3 prohibits the supply of wet wipes containing plastic subject to certain exemptions (regulations 4 to 6). The exemptions include the supply of wet wipes containing plastic by retail pharmacy business, supply for medical purposes, or supply to businesses. Breach of the prohibition is an offence (regulation 3), subject to the mutual recognition principle in section 2 of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (c. 27) where applicable.

It is a defence for a person to show that they took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid committing the offence (regulation 7).

An impact assessment of the effect that these Regulations would have upon the costs of business is available on request, from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Clare House, 303 Airport Road West, Belfast BT3 9ED.