Know your Disposables : Episode 3

Diapers & the Law: Where are the Regulations?

While countries like Japan, Korea, and the EU have regulations for diaper & sanitary napkin ingredients, India has none.

In China, there is a mandatory regulation in place for baby diapers under GB 15979-2002: Hygienic Standard for disposable sanitary products (HS Code of 9619001000 Pull up baby diapers). Japan bans use of phtlalates as an ingredient but allows to be used as a catalyst.

India has some restrictions around usage of pthlalates in baby toys but none for disposable diapers, which is a product more in contact with the intimate parts of the baby. There is also no mandate on companies to disclose the list of ingredients used on the pack of the diapers or sanitary products. The impact of disposables and issues are also less studied by the research community in India.

Despite India evolving as a big market for diapers, the lack of awareness on health issues with usage of diapers is shocking! The poor system of collection and disposal of waste along with the increased usage of disposable diapers is going to further contaminate environment and food. See this video on the diaper litter in and around Bengaluru.

The impact on rural families is much more as they are increasingly urbanizing their lifestyle but the waste management system is non-existent in many villages. On our last visit to my village, I was shocked to see how disposables are disposed with other wastes directly into a pit in the fields as there is no collection mechanism for garbage. It is as if disposables (other wastes) are being fed as manure in the fields.

Source : https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Unguarded-disposal-of-soiled-disposable-diapers-in-land-depressions-26_fig2_346641495

In this grim situation it becomes imperative to think about the alternative options that parents have today.

Next read: Looking for Alternatives: So what can we do as parents? Is there a better way?

Thanks for sticking around till the end! If this piece got you itching to ditch disposables and start thinking cloth — you’re not alone. We’ve got your back! Check out our New Parent’s Guide to Cloth Diapers for everything you need to get started.

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