ACCC Takes Makers of Flushable Wipes to Court

White King “flushable” wet wipes has been fined for making false and misleading claims.

The maker of White King has been fined $700,000 for false and misleading claims about its “flushable” toilet and bathroom cleaning wet wipes.

The Federal Court ordered the penalties against cleaning product manufacturer Pental in a court action initiated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), following a referral by consumer group Choice in 2016.

In addition to marketing the wipes between 2011 and 2016 as “flushable”, Pental’s packaging and promotional materials included statements such as, “Simply wipe over the hard surface of the toilet and just flush away”, and “White King toilet wipes are made from a specially designed material, which will disintegrate in the sewage system when flushed, just like toilet paper”.

The company admitted this was not the case. “The court’s decision shows that businesses face serious consequences if they make false or misleading statements about the nature of their products,” ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said in a statement on Thursday.

“The ACCC took action against Pental due to concerns that consumers were being misled into believing that the wipes were suitable to be flushed.

“These White King wipes can’t be flushed down the toilet, and Australian wastewater authorities face significant problems if they are because they can cause blockages in household and municipal sewerage systems.”

The ACCC has separate ongoing proceedings against Kimberly-Clark Australia Pty Ltd (Kimberly-Clark) concerning alleged false or misleading representations in relation to four ‘flushable’ personal hygiene wipes products that were marketed and supplied in Australia between May 2013 and May 2016.

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16 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 13 Jul 2022
    12:01 pm
I have often wondered how many people had to call plumbers after flushing these wipes.

- - tessie said
  - 18 Apr 2018
    10:01 am
I’m sure most people would think that anything flushable does just that. Glad they are being made accountable for false advertising

- - ella12 said
  - 16 Apr 2018
    12:00 pm
They should be held accountable if they have done the wrong thing.

- - rovermum said
  - 16 Apr 2018
    10:56 am
I haven’t and wouldn’t use this product, but I’ve certainly never considered flushing wipes of any sort. I do use the Pine-O-Cleen wipes on occasion, but they always go in the bin. So pleased that this business has been called to task, as they should be.

- - mom206279 said
  - 15 Apr 2018
    4:03 pm
As far as I knew all wipes claiming to be flushable were shown not to be. Its not a product I’d use.

- - mom297193 said
  - 15 Apr 2018
    8:22 am
Wow this is new news to me I have never ever heard of the problem these white king wipes are causing until now

- - mom101628 said
  - 14 Apr 2018
    11:25 pm
So pleased this has finally been brought out in the media so people know not to do it.
- mom93821 replied
  
  16 Apr 2018 , 6:57 am
  Media attention and campaigns sure do reach target audiences.
- - june11 said
  - 14 Apr 2018
    11:23 pm
There is a vast difference between those you clean the bathroom and the ones you wipe your your btm with. I only use them if I think the toilet paper may not be cleaning me properly. It stops any residue impregnating in your skin and making you smell as though you had an “accident” in you knickers/undies.

- - Ellen said
  - 14 Apr 2018
    8:02 am
Falsely misleading the public is serious, especially when the environment is at stake. Personally I think the fine should have been higher.

- - mom93821 said
  - 14 Apr 2018
    7:01 am
So much controversy around toilet wipes and I expect more to come.

- - mom160421 said
  - 13 Apr 2018
    8:54 pm
I agree the word “flushable” is misleading. The company should have changed the name ages ago.

- - BellaB said
  - 13 Apr 2018
    5:56 pm
Yes, I’ve heard these wipes are a big problem.

- - mom199367 said
  - 13 Apr 2018
    4:10 pm
I used supposed “flushable wipes” after giving birth to my son just shy of 3 years ago; I felt duped and concerned when told at a later stage they shouldn’t be flushed!

- - mom90758 said
  - 13 Apr 2018
    2:20 pm
Indeed, they shouldn’t have used the word “flushable”.

- - becstalou said
  - 13 Apr 2018
    1:43 pm
Disgusting behaviour to knowingly make false claims like this. The damage to sewerage pipes and the environment has been huge.