Big fine for misleading ‘flushable’ wipes

AUSTRALIAN manufacturer Pental has been fined $700,000 for misleading customers with claims its “flushable” toilet and bathroom cleaning wipes could be flushed down toilets when in fact they were unsuitable for sewer systems.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says Pental’s packaging and promotions for its White King wipes, which included statements such as “just flush away”, suggested the products were made from materials which could disintegrate in sewerage systems like toilet paper.

Pental admitted the representation was incorrect and the Federal Court has ordered the company to pay $700,000 in penalties and pay $110,000 towards the ACCC’s court costs.

ACCC commissioner Sarah Court said the decision showed businesses face serious consequences for making false or misleading statements about their products. “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,” Ms Court said yesterday.