AS/NZS 5328 flushable wipes standard for Australia
Last updated: September 7, 2026
If you are developing or sourcing flushable wipes for the Australian market, AS/NZS 5328:2022 is likely to come up early in the project.
The standard gives manufacturers, retailers and buyers a common framework for assessing whether a product is suitable for toilet disposal. For importers, however, the useful question is not simply what the standard says. It is how AS/NZS 5328 affects the finished wipe, testing route, packaging claim and supplier documentation before launch.
Quick answer: AS/NZS 5328:2022 is a voluntary Australian/New Zealand standard for flushable products. It includes test methods, pass/fail criteria and labelling provisions. A different flushability programme, including INDA/EDANA testing, should not automatically be treated as proof that a finished product meets AS/NZS 5328.
- For brands: decide the flushable claim before locking the product specification.
- For importers: ask for evidence tied to the exact finished SKU.
- For sourcing teams: compare substrate, formula, GSM, sheet size and documentation—not price alone.
- Why flushability matters in Australia
- What is AS/NZS 5328:2022?
- Which products does it apply to?
- What tests must flushable wipes pass?
- AS/NZS 5328 vs INDA/EDANA
- Product development considerations
- Flushable labelling in Australia
- Documents importers should request
- Australian sourcing checklist
- Frequently asked questions
Why Flushability Matters in the Australian Wipes Market
“Flushable” looks like a simple word on a pack, but in Australia it is a product-performance claim. A wipe that stays intact for too long can move from a household toilet into drains, pumps and municipal wastewater infrastructure, where it may contribute to operating problems.
The history matters because it shows why evidence is important. In 2018, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reported that Pental was ordered to pay penalties after admitting that claims concerning certain White King “flushable” wipes were false or misleading. For brands, the lesson is straightforward: a flushable statement should be supportable, not simply attractive packaging copy.
External reference: ACCC – Pental flushable wipes claims case →
For an Australian private-label project, this changes the buying process. Price, sheet count and fragrance still matter, but they should not be decided in isolation. Substrate composition, sheet dimensions, lotion, wet strength and dispersibility all need to work together when the finished SKU is intended to carry a flushable claim.
What Is AS/NZS 5328:2022?
AS/NZS 5328:2022, Flushable Products, was published in 2022. Standards Australia explains that the standard defines criteria for products that can be classified as flushable and provides test methods for assessing flushability. It also addresses disposal labelling so consumers can distinguish products intended for toilet disposal from products that should not be flushed.
One point is especially important for buyers: the standard is voluntary. That does not mean businesses can make unsupported claims. Retailers and other commercial buyers may also make compliance with the standard part of their supplier requirements.
For procurement and packaging discussions, it is more precise to say that a finished product meets or complies with AS/NZS 5328 when product-specific evidence supports the claim, rather than casually describing it as “AS/NZS 5328 certified”.
Official references: Standards Australia – Flushable Products Standard → | WSAA – Flushable Products Standard Q&A (October 2024) →
Which Products Does AS/NZS 5328 Apply To?
The standard is intended for products that may be disposed of through a toilet and therefore need to demonstrate compatibility with wastewater systems. WSAA guidance notes exclusions including toilet paper, liquids and soluble products.
For wipe buyers, the practical lesson is simple: do not assume a product falls outside the standard merely because a supplier uses another marketing name. Terms such as moist toilet tissue, wet toilet paper and flushable wipes can be used differently between markets.
What Tests Must Flushable Wipes Pass?
Standards Australia describes the framework as involving six stringent tests together with a declaration. The key point for a buyer is that the programme looks beyond whether a wipe simply disappears from sight after flushing.
Mobile tip: Swipe horizontally to view the full test table.
| Test Area | What It Evaluates | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet & drain-line clearance | Whether the product clears the toilet and household drain line. | The first step is moving through the plumbing where consumers actually use it. |
| Household pump compatibility | How the product behaves around household sewage pumping systems. | Helps assess behaviour before the material enters the wider wastewater network. |
| Municipal pump compatibility | How the product behaves around wastewater-network pumping equipment. | A flushed wipe should not create a new pump-handling problem downstream. |
| Disintegration | How readily the product loses integrity and breaks into smaller pieces. | This is a major distinction between purpose-designed flushable wipes and ordinary strong wet wipes. |
| Settling | How material behaves during downstream treatment conditions. | Flushability involves wastewater-system compatibility, not only clearing the toilet bowl. |
| Biodegradation | How the material breaks down biologically under relevant conditions. | Supports assessment of downstream wastewater and environmental behaviour. |
WSAA's published Q&A also notes a manufacturer attestation relating to the absence of plastic. That makes exact substrate composition an early sourcing question, not something to investigate only after samples have been approved.
Testing should relate to the finished specification that will actually be sold. If sheet dimensions, GSM, fibre blend, binder, lotion loading or another meaningful parameter changes, the buyer and manufacturer should review whether the existing evidence still represents the commercial SKU.
AS/NZS 5328 vs INDA/EDANA Flushability Guidelines
Many international buyers are already familiar with the INDA/EDANA Guidelines for Assessing the Flushability of Disposable Nonwoven Products, often referred to as GD4. These guidelines are useful technical references, particularly for businesses selling across several markets.
AS/NZS 5328 did not develop in isolation. INDA states that the Australian/New Zealand standard builds on test methods and criteria established through the INDA/EDANA GD4 framework, with adaptations for the Australian and New Zealand market.
That relationship does not make the two frameworks interchangeable. An existing INDA/EDANA result should not automatically be presented as proof that a finished product meets AS/NZS 5328. For an Australian project, previous GD4 experience can be useful development evidence, while the final SKU should still be assessed and documented against the requirements agreed for that market.
Industry references: INDA – Australia releases AS/NZS 5328 based on GD4 test methods → | INDA – Edition Four Guidelines →
How AS/NZS 5328 Affects Flushable Wipe Development
The best time to discuss AS/NZS 5328 is before a sample is approved. Trying to retrofit a standard requirement after the formula, fabric and packaging have already been locked can lead to avoidable reformulation, retesting and artwork changes.
Substrate Selection: Strength During Use, Dispersibility After Flushing
A conventional baby wipe or household wipe is generally designed to stay strong when wet. A flushable wipe has a more difficult job: it still needs enough wet strength for comfortable use, but after flushing it must lose integrity in a way compatible with the applicable requirements.
That balance starts with fibre composition, basis weight, web structure and bonding technology. This is why biodegradable and flushable should not be treated as synonyms.
Formula Compatibility: The Lotion Is Part of the Product
The substrate receives most of the attention, but the lotion should not be treated as an afterthought. Preservatives, surfactants, pH and liquid loading can influence handling, stability and finished-product performance.
During private label wet wipes development, the formula and substrate should therefore be evaluated as one finished-product system.
Wipe Size and GSM: Bigger Is Not Automatically Better
A thicker or larger sheet can feel more premium, but a flushable product must balance user experience with downstream performance. Increasing GSM, dimensions or wet strength can change how the wipe moves and breaks apart after flushing.
Lock the Specification Before the Compliance Claim
Test evidence is most useful when it is tied to a controlled specification covering material composition, GSM, sheet dimensions, lotion and other relevant product details. That gives the buyer a cleaner evidence trail and helps repeat orders remain aligned with the tested SKU.
Can You Label Wet Wipes “Flushable” in Australia?
A flushable claim should only be made when evidence for the finished product supports it. AS/NZS 5328 was developed to provide a clearer technical benchmark, and product labelling forms part of that framework.
For a brand owner, packaging should be reviewed after the product specification and evidence route are clear. Broad statements such as “safe for every sewer”, “dissolves like toilet paper” or “100% toilet safe” should not be added simply because they sound attractive on-pack.
What Documents Should Australian Importers Ask Their Supplier For?
A good supplier file should allow the importer to connect the claim on the packaging with the product that was actually manufactured. The exact documents vary by retailer, product classification and sales channel, but a practical starting set includes:
- Controlled finished-product specification covering substrate composition, GSM, sheet size, lotion and pack configuration.
- AS/NZS 5328 test report or other product-specific flushability evidence requested by the buyer.
- Material-composition information supporting relevant substrate declarations.
- Formula and ingredient documentation appropriate to the final product.
- Approved packaging artwork showing final claims and disposal instructions.
- Quality-control specification and batch or lot traceability records.
- Commercial invoice, packing list and standard shipping documents.
- Any retailer-specific or product-safety documentation required for the final SKU.
The key is to agree on the required document set before mass production, not after the shipment is ready to leave the factory.
Checklist for Sourcing Private Label Flushable Wipes for Australia
Before approving a purchase order, run through this sequence with the manufacturer:
- Define the intended market: Australia, New Zealand or both.
- Decide whether the finished product will carry a flushable claim.
- Confirm the technical reference and evidence expected for the project.
- Select a substrate with an appropriate composition and dispersibility profile.
- Develop the lotion and substrate as one finished-product system.
- Freeze GSM, sheet size and key performance parameters before final testing.
- Complete the required flushability testing on the finished specification.
- Review material declarations and supporting technical documents.
- Approve packaging claims and disposal labelling only after the evidence route is clear.
- Keep specification, testing, artwork and batch records together for later retailer or compliance queries.
How an OEM Manufacturer Can Support an Australian Flushable Wipes Project
For importers and private-label brands, an OEM manufacturer should not replace an independent test laboratory or regulatory adviser. Its value is controlling the product variables that determine whether the finished wipe can meet the buyer's requirement in the first place.
A practical development workflow begins with the target market and intended claim, then works backwards into substrate, formula, sheet size, GSM, packaging and supporting documentation.
For Australian flushable wipes enquiries, the intended standard should therefore be discussed at the beginning of the OEM process. Samples can then be developed against an agreed brief before the commercial specification is released.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AS/NZS 5328:2022?
AS/NZS 5328:2022 is the Australian/New Zealand standard titled “Flushable Products”. It provides a framework, test methods and criteria for determining whether relevant products are suitable for flushing, and it includes labelling requirements.
Is AS/NZS 5328 mandatory in Australia?
AS/NZS 5328 is a voluntary standard rather than a blanket legal requirement for every wet wipe sold in Australia. However, businesses making flushability claims need appropriate supporting evidence, and retailers may include the standard in their own supplier requirements.
Are all wet toilet wipes flushable?
No. A wet wipe should only be described as flushable when the finished product has been designed and appropriately tested for that disposal route. Baby wipes, personal-care wipes and cleaning wipes can look similar while being intended for bin disposal.
Is INDA/EDANA testing the same as AS/NZS 5328?
No. The frameworks address related flushability concepts, but an INDA/EDANA result should not automatically be presented as proof that a finished product complies with AS/NZS 5328.
Can biodegradable wipes be labelled flushable?
Not on biodegradability alone. Biodegradable and flushable describe different product characteristics. A wipe may contain biodegradable fibres while remaining mechanically intact for too long in plumbing or wastewater conditions.
Can a product that meets AS/NZS 5328 contain plastic?
WSAA's published explanation of AS/NZS 5328 refers to a manufacturer attestation that the product does not contain plastic. Material composition should therefore be confirmed early during substrate selection.
What should an Australian importer request from a flushable wipes supplier?
Buyers should typically request a controlled finished-product specification, relevant flushability evidence, material-composition information, formula documentation, approved artwork, quality-control requirements and batch traceability.
Can Unicare develop private label flushable wipes for the Australian market?
Yes. Unicare supports OEM and private-label flushable wipe development covering substrate, formula, sheet size, GSM, packaging and production specifications. The required standard and evidence route should be agreed before the final specification and packaging claims are approved.
Final Takeaway
AS/NZS 5328:2022 gives Australian and New Zealand buyers a clearer way to discuss flushability than relying on marketing language alone. For an importer, its biggest value is the discipline it brings to product development: define the claim, select the appropriate substrate and formula, test the finished specification, approve the labelling and keep the evidence tied to the product that is actually sold.
That also makes supplier conversations more useful. Instead of asking only whether a factory “can make flushable wipes”, ask which specification will be developed, which standard it will be assessed against, what evidence will support the claim and how the specification will be controlled in repeat production.
Planning a Private Label Flushable Wipes Project for Australia?
Tell us your target market, wipe size, material preference, GSM, formula direction, packaging format, estimated order quantity and required standard.
Starting with a clear technical brief is usually more efficient than trying to retrofit testing or labelling requirements after the product has already been finalised.
