The ACCC advised that it would take no further action against budget retailer Aldi after the company stopped selling its personal hygiene wipes and removed ‘potentially misleading claims’ from its bathroom cleaning wipes packaging.
Earlier this year, the consumer watchdog raised concerns with Aldi regarding its promotion of certain wipes products, which were claimed to be ‘flushable’ and able to ‘disintegrate in the sewage system’.
It had also initiated legal proceedings against Pental and Kimberly-Clark Australia for making ‘false or misleading’ representations in relation to ‘flushable’ wipes they marketed and supplied in Australia.
“The ACCC raised concerns with ALDI regarding its promotion of ALDI Green Action Flushable Bathroom Cleaning Wipes (100pk) in its Special Buys catalogue,” the ACCC stated in July.
And whilst Pental and Kimberly-Clark Australia both ended up before the Federal Court, ALDI responded to the ACCC allegations by removing the products from sale and escaped further legal action.
“The ACCC raised concerns with ALDI about the use of the term ‘flushable’ on its wipes packaging, as this claim may mislead consumers if it cannot be substantiated,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
“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,”
He said the company has told the ACCC that it has removed the word ‘flushable’ from its bathroom cleaning wipes and added the instruction ‘do not flush’, in addition to removing its personal hygiene flushable wipes from sale.
“We’re pleased that ALDI has added a ‘do not flush’ message for consumers making it clear that the bathroom cleaning wipes it is still selling should be disposed of in a rubbish bin instead of a toilet. We welcome their action in addressing our concerns,” Mr Sims concluded.
