If you didn’t already know, we’ve started a petition to call on the UK Government to make tampons safe. Joining forces with a coalition of menstrual health brands including Daye, Yoni, Mooncup, and Here We Flo, we are asking for more stringent safety regulations on tampons. Why is this, you ask?
Well, this week we took a seat on the TOTM sofa, microphones in hand, to speak with our Global Education and Health Lead, Vic Fytche. Discussing why we’re calling on the UK Government to make tampons safe, Vic takes a deep dive into all the curious questions around why we’re petitioning, tampon safety, and what you can do to support.
So take a seat, grab a snack and a hot beverage, and let’s get into it!
What’s the current state of tampon regulation in the UK?
Surprisingly, tampons are completely unregulated in the UK, where they’re treated merely as consumer goods. This means there’s no required clinical testing or transparency around ingredients used in tampons, despite them being used in highly absorbent areas of the body. This lack of regulation leaves consumers unable to make informed decisions about what they’re putting in their bodies.
How does this connect to period education in the UK?
The issue of regulation is part of a broader problem with period education in the UK. More than 40% of girls receive no education about their menstrual cycle before experiencing their first period, highlighting a significant gap in essential health education.
What changes are TOTM calling for through their petition?
TOTM is petitioning the government for more stringent safety regulations on tampons. While maintaining current standards for absorbency categories, TSS warnings, and usage instructions, they’re calling for additional requirements including:
✅Mandatory ingredient labelling, including any chemicals present in products
✅Rigorous pre-market and post-market safety testing
✅Ongoing product monitoring
✅Converting current guidelines into legal requirements
How would these changes affect consumers and brands?
For consumers, these changes would ensure greater transparency and safety in period care products. They would have access to clear ingredient information, allowing them to make informed choices about their period care products. For brands, current voluntary guidelines would become legal requirements, meaning all manufacturers would need to meet the same high safety standards.
Do period care brands currently test their products?
Testing is currently voluntary and not legally enforced or standardised. Some brands, like TOTM, conduct thorough testing and undergo annual audits to maintain certifications such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOT) and Organic Content Standard (OCS) certificates. However, this level of testing isn’t universal across the industry, as some brands choose not to follow these voluntary standards.
What can consumers do to support safer period care?
There are several ways to get involved:
👉Sign and share the petition (Linked Here)
👉Spread awareness on social media
👉Discuss the issue with friends and family
👉Conduct personal research about period care products (This blog post is a good starting point)
👉Stay informed about period care safety
How many signatures are needed for the petition to make an impact?
The petition needs 10,000 signatures to receive an official government response. Once this target is reached, TOTM will work with experts to propose detailed regulations and testing methods for safer period care products.
Why is this petition important?
This petition is crucial because it addresses a significant gap in consumer safety. With no current regulations in place, there’s no guarantee of the safety of tampon products being used by millions of people in the UK. Your signature can help ensure that period care products meet essential safety standards and that consumers have the information they need to make informed choices about their health.
Special thanks to our Global Education and Health Lead, Vic Fytche for this interview.
🪧It’s time to make tampons safe! Add your signature to the petition here, thank you!
