Introduce product-specific safety regulations for tampons

Call for tampons to be subject to product-specific safety regulations while retaining VAT-free status. These safety regulations should require ingredient labelling, rigorous safety testing, and post-market monitoring.

We believe introducing product-specific regulations could help ensure robust safety testing, transparent labelling, and ongoing monitoring protecting public health and enabling informed consumer choices about products used in the body.

The Government is dedicated to ensuring that every period product sold in the UK meets safety standards. These products are regulated under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, which state that only items considered safe for normal or expected use can be offered on the market. During the passage of the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 we committed to consult and consider whether and what further action is required to ensure period products are safe for consumers.

In keeping with this commitment, the Government now seeks to engage with businesses, consumer groups and representative organisations through the Product Safety Framework Reform Consultation, published on the 31st March to gather evidence from a broad range of stakeholders and the public regarding relevant issues and their impacts. This is being considered alongside broader proposals to update the general product safety framework.

The government is also reviewing the existing academic and scientific research base concerning the safety of period products including single use disposable tampons. Existing safety and testing standards are being reviewed and we are collaborating with other government departments, stakeholders and other experts to consider the need for any further research in this area to complement the consultation.

We will continue to support current safety standards, such as enhanced use of the UK Tampon Code of Practice. Leading UK manufacturers have adopted this Code, which sets manufacturing safety and labelling standards for tampons, including information about Toxic Shock Syndrome, a rare risk linked to tampon use. The Government is also engaged in the development of ISO 25130 (Menstrual Products), a new international standard that will include the harmonisation of risk assessments and testing for menstrual products by 2028.

Consumer safety and women's health will guide decisions on regulating period products.

Department for Business and Trade