Two manufacturers have been accusing of making false claims on packaging in regards to their 'flushable' wipes.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is taking action against Kimberly-Clark and Pental, alleging consumers were led to believe the products had similar characteristics to toilet paper, would break up or disintegrate in a time frame and manner similar to toilet paper, and were suitable to be flushed down the toilet – when this was not the case.
Australian water authorities face significant problems when non-suitable products are flushed down the toilet as they contribute to blockages in household and municipal sewerage systems, according to the ACCC.
Between May 2013 and May 2016, the ACCC alleges Kimberly-Clark advertised its Kleenex Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths as “flushable”, “completely flushable”, “able to be flushed in the toilet”, and able to “break down in sewerage system or septic tank”.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said its Federal Court action is a world first, as sewerage authorities struggle with the wipes, which it is alleged do not degrade as quickly as promised.
The regulator is reportedly seeking penalties and corrective notices, as well as injunctions to stop the continued marketing of these products with such claims.
The products subject to the ACCC's proceedings are Kimberly-Clark's Kleenex Cottonelle flushable cleansing cloths, and Pental's White King Power clean flushable toilet wipes.
