H.R. 2964, WIPPES Act
Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, ad Commerce favorably reported H.R. 2964, WIPPES Act to the full committee by voice-vote. The WIPPES Act would establish national “Do Not Flush” labeling requirements for nonflushable wet wipes that mirror California’s labeling requirements enacted under A.B. 818. Thanks to CASA’s leadership on this issue, the WIPPES Act enjoys broad support from the wipes industry, national clean water stakeholders, environmental advocates, and civil engineers.

During the markup, subcommittee Vice Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) spoke in support of the bill stating that H.R. 2964 would establish commonsense labeling requirements that ensure consumers know whether wipes are safe for wastewater and sewer systems. He explained that consumers are often unaware that these wipes are not compatible with wastewater and septic infrastructure and, as a result, flushing the products cause both major system backups and increased financial costs to municipalities and ratepayers. Walberg added that if one “hasn’t toured a wastewater facility, do so and ask to see this problem, you’ll never forget it.”

Ranking Member of the full committee, Frank Pallone (D-NJ), spoke to the bill raising concerns over the bill’s U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Trade Commission provisions that should be improved to avoid implementation issues that could lead to regulatory and consumer confusion. However, Pallone stated his support for the bill’s intent and is hopeful his concerns can be addressed. He asked his colleagues to work to address these concerns before the bill goes to a full committee markup.

Now that the WIPPES Act has been reported to the full committee, CASA will work with our stakeholder group and legislative staff to prepare the bill for a future full committee markup.