Notice is hereby given that the Scottish Ministers intend to introduce legislation in accordance with section 140 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to prohibit persons, in the course of a business, from supplying or offering to supply wet wipes containing plastic, with exceptions for the supply of wet wipes containing plastic by registered pharmacies, supply for medical purposes, supply to businesses, or supply to local authorities.

Breach of these prohibitions is an offence under the proposed regulations. A person found guilty of committing an offence under these regulations will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, currently £5000. Local authorities will authorise persons to enforce provisions of these regulations. It is intended that these regulations will come into force 18 months after the legislation is signed.

The draft legislation will be available to view on the Scottish Government website from 3pm on Friday 23 January 2026: https://www.gov.scot/publications/draft-environmental-protection-wet-wipes-containing-plastic-scotland-regulations-2026/

Alternatively a copy can be requested free of charge from the Clean Seas Team, Marine Directorate, Scottish Government, Area 1B North, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ or WWSEAandBRIA@gov.scot

Any person may make representations on the legislation in writing. Any such representations made should be received by Friday 6 February 2026 and made to the Clean Seas Team, Marine Directorate, Scottish Government, Area 1B North, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ or WWSEAandBRIA@gov.scot