When you think about the details that create a great dining experience, hand wipe compliance probably isn't the first thing that springs to mind.
But if you're providing individually wrapped hand wipes to your customers, do you actually know what you're putting into their hands?
With so many restaurant hand wipes available through online marketplaces, wholesalers and importers, it's easy to assume that if a product is being openly sold in the UK, it must meet the relevant regulations.
Unfortunately, that's not something you should simply take for granted.
The good news is that you don't need to be a cosmetics expert to make a few simple checks before you buy.
Restaurant Hand Wipes Are Cosmetics
It’s easy to think of an individually wrapped hand wipe as just another consumable alongside napkins, straws or takeaway cutlery.
It isn’t.
Restaurant hand wipes designed to cleanse the skin are cosmetic products and must comply with regulations covering their safety, labelling and notification.
That means there are some basic pieces of information you should expect to find when buying them.
A Quick Check: What Does the Sachet Tell You?
The sachet itself can tell you a lot. You don't need to be an expert in cosmetics legislation, just start by checking:
- Is the name and address of the Responsible Person shown?
- Is there a full ingredients list?
- Is there a batch or product identification?
- If it's imported, is the country of origin stated?
If key information is missing, ask questions before buying. Government guidance specifically advises caution where cosmetic product information is missing or minimal, or where there is no named Responsible Person or appropriate address.
And don't assume that because a hand wipe is being sold through a major online retailer it must be compliant. If a product arrives with little or none of the information you'd expect to see on a cosmetic product, that should ring alarm bells. You never know who might be sitting at your table, and a visit from Trading Standards could prove every bit as important as a visit from a restaurant critic.
Compliance You Can Have Confidence In
This is where buying from an established supplier matters.
mywipe is a brand of Guardpack, a UK manufacturer specialising in individually packaged wet wipes and sachets.
Our hand wipes are registered as cosmetic products for sale in both Great Britain and the EU, and we act as the Responsible Person for our products in both markets.
The regulatory frameworks are closely connected. The current EU cosmetics framework was established under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, and Great Britain retained that regulatory framework following the UK’s departure from the EU.
For restaurants, it means knowing exactly who is legally responsible for ensuring the hand wipe you're putting into your customers' hands meets the relevant cosmetic regulations.
Plastic in Wet Wipes: Be Ready for May 2027
There’s another important change on the horizon.
From 19 May 2027, it will be illegal in England to sell or supply single-use wet wipes containing plastic, including antibacterial hand wipes. While there are some exemptions for business-to-business supply, those wipes cannot then be supplied to individual customers.
For restaurants handing wipes to diners, it makes sense to start checking now. Does the wipe you're buying contain plastic?
Don't assume that because a wipe looks and feels like cloth that it doesn't.
Rest assured, all mywipe restaurant hand wipes use biodegradable, plastic-free wipe material and for businesses particularly focused on their environmental goals, we also offer an option in recyclable packaging.
Which Hand Wipe Is Right for Your Restaurant?
Once you're confident you're buying from a reputable, compliant supplier, the next step is choosing the right wipe for your restaurant.
The mywipe Basic Hand Wipe is a practical choice for takeaways and casual dining, while our Luxury Hand Wipe and Ultimate Hand Wipe offer a more premium finish for sit-down restaurants and fine dining. We also offer an alcohol-free, Halal-certified Sterizar Hand Wipe and a Biodegradable Hand Wipe in Recyclable Packaging for businesses looking to take their sustainability choices further.
Not sure which wipe is right? Read our guide to choosing the right hand wipe for your restaurant, including typical customer spend per head and when it could make sense to move to your own branded wipes.
Ready to Buy or Ready to Add Your Own Brand?
If you simply need quality, compliant restaurant hand wipes, the mywipe range is ready to buy, with fast dispatch and options to suit everything from takeaways to fine dining.
Have a question about restaurant hand wipes? Get in touch – we're always happy to help you choose.
And if you're ready to put your own branding on the sachet, Guardpack manufactures bespoke private-label hand wipes from just 2,000 wipes, putting your restaurant's branding directly into your customers' hands.
Contact Guardpack to find out more about bespoke restaurant and hospitality wipes.
A hand wipe may be a small part of the dining experience, but it's still a product you're putting directly into your customer's hands. Check what's on the packet, know who's responsible for it and make sure you know what you're buying.