CARY, NC - May 20, 2008 - A global coalition of suppliers, manufacturers and associations has developed and is set to publish a Guidance Document designed to provide information on how to assess the flushability of the consumer products they manufacture and distribute.

Coordinated by INDA and EDANA and spearheaded by the associations’ Flushability Committees, the document provides a definition of flushability and outlines in detail how to assess a product’s compatibility with home plumbing fixtures and drain lines, as well as the disposal of the product in onsite and municipal wastewater treatment systems.

The Guidelines will be published jointly by INDA and EDANA and premiered this June at the World of Wipes Conference (WOW) and be available at no cost to members of both associations. Non-members will be able to purchase the Guidelines for $3000.

“These much-needed Guidelines provide a definition of ‘flushability’ that the global industry can use when making and marketing their consumer products,” explains Rory Holmes, President of INDA. “It is important that the global consumer products community have an agreed-upon definition of the term that they can then communicate to consumers and end-users.”

In addition to publishing the Flushability Guidelines, INDA and EDANA plan to hold a webinar on July 16 at 10 am EST. Everyone involved in the production of flushability products, e.g., marketing, R&D, business development, are encouraged to attend the WOW conference and/or the webinar.  The webinars are sponsored by Ahlstrom, Kimberly-Clark, Proctor & Gamble and organized by Nonwovens Industry Magazine.

“It is going to be vital that everyone in the supply chain of these consumer products be aware of these Guidelines and make them an important part of not only product development, but in their marketing and sales as well,” remarked Pierre Wiertz, EDANA’s General Manager. “This is the first edition and they will be revised and perfected as the industry and the wastewater treatment industry learn more,” added Wiertz.

For more information: Peggy Blake, INDA’s Director of Marketing, 1-919-233-1210 x117; pblake@inda.org.  Jean-Michel Anspach, EDANA's Technical & Education Director, 32-2-734-9310, jean-michel.anspach@edana.org