Fine to Flush Certification Scheme Services

Recognised industry standard

The Fine to Flush standard, or Water Industry Specification 4-02-06, is an award-winning certification that addresses a key priority of the water industry: to protect the environment from pollutions caused by improperly disposed wet wipes that lead to sewer blockages.

Developed by trade association Water UK and technical experts here at WRc, the Fine to Flush certification has been awarded to 100 leading wet wipe products and manufacturers, all branded with the Fine to Flush logo. This shows that they have been thoroughly tested to ensure they do not cause environmental damage from sewage pollution caused by a blockage or pump failure linked to their use.

WRc has long been at the forefront of research into the impact of wet wipes on water networks, having first published our `flushability` research as a WRc Portfolio project 25 years ago. We are proud to be the designated testing facility for all products wishing to gain ‘Fine to Flush’ certification.

Back in 2018, no wet wipes sold on the UK market were tested to ensure they were safe to flush down the toilet. Fine to Flush is the first specification that tests wet wipe products for their suitability for disposal via sewer networks, ensuring that certified wipes do not contribute to the impact of plastics on the environment. Since the first product was tested in 2019, WRc and Water UK have awarded 100+ certifications to products and manufacturers committed to developing their wet wipes to meet the standard.

Concept

Previous attempts to address this key priority for the water industry - investment in network improvements, customer education, and advertising legislation - have had minor impacts on the goal to reduce harm from `unflushable` wet wipes. 

Water UK published a Water Industry Specification in January 2019, defining the criteria required for a wet wipe product to achieve for it to be considered as truly ‘flushable’.

Delivery

The water industry, alongside Water UK and their technical consultants WRc, undertook a series of research projects to determine the causes of sewer blockages. 

This included looking further at the type and contents of wipes themselves, dissecting blockages to identify the cause, and establishing their journey through the sewer system at each stage of the disposal process, including treatment.

Innovation

WRc developed unique tests that represent conditions found in sewers and treatment facilities, thus significantly improving on previously used specifications.

These include disintegration tests which mimic sewer flow and ensure wipes don`t negatively affect the operation or cause blockage of a sewer, pumping station, or treatment system. Composition tests confirm that all compliant products are plastic free.

Outcome

Now recognised as the most effective means for manufacturers and retailers to showcase to customers their commitment to the environment, the Fine to Flush standard has gained rapid and widespread adoption, demonstrating its trust and acceptance across industry.

Further investigation has the potential for application of the standard to other products that are frequently flushed, to demonstrate that they do not harm the sewer system and wider environment.

Unfortunately, the progress that the water industry has made in recent decades to improving capacity and network issues, such as storm overflow systems, has been somewhat overshadowed by the growing nuisance of inappropriate disposal. This includes the disposal of fats, oils and grease (FOG) in the kitchen, and toilet flushing of wipes which do not sufficiently disintegrate.

Flushing the `unflushables` results in around 93% of all sewer blockages, and a large percentage of emergency call-outs due to jammed sewage pumps. These wipe-related failures are the main reasons for sewage waste flooding domestic properties and polluting our water courses and beaches. The cost to the water industry, which inevitably has to be passed on to the consumer, is significant.

Improperly flushed wet wipes, often misleadingly labelled as `flushable`, cause huge environmental, financial, and societal strain, which is entirely avoidable. Toilet (and other types of personal care or cleaning) wipes that don’t break down should be clearly labelled as ‘do not flush’ and must be disposed of via the bin. 

Wipes that are used in association with toileting, for example moist toilet tissues, should be disposed of via the WC for public health reasons and therefore be made of materials that readily break down once flushed.