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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
James Rodger & Abbie Meehan

Toilet roll firms issue shortage warning as new EU law introduced

Fresh concerns have arisen of a toilet roll shortage across the UK, after a law change is introduced by the EU.

Supermarket customers in the UK are being warned to expect possible shortages of bog roll in the near future, following a fresh European Union ban.

As reported by Nottinghamshire Live, the EU is set to ban products and items linked to deforestation, which could have an impact on loo roll availability.

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According to toilet roll firm boss Chris Forbes, of Cheeky Panda, he told The Grocer: "There will definitely be a squeeze on availability and we can expect the price of recycled tissue to rise as demand for alternatives increases."

Toilet paper, kitchen roll and facial tissues all use a raw material that has an effect on deforestation.

Chris noted that some of the big brands that produce these items would have to spend "billions" on an "operational transformation" so they adhere to fresh laws.

Brand Essity, which makes Velvet, Cushelle and Tork toilet rolls, said: "Essity fully supports any legislation designed to combat deforestation.

"We have a long history of working closely with our suppliers under strict requirements to ensure that all of our raw materials are sourced ethically and responsibly.

"For companies of Essity’s size, the new EU legislation will come into full effect in 2024 following a transition period that will enable organisations to adapt to any required changes in supply chain.

"We can say with absolute confidence that there will not be a shortage of toilet roll resulting from changes to EU laws."

Vikki Makinson, the head of marketing and communications for tissue maker Accrol, said: "We don’t anticipate paper supply shortages as a result of these regulations but potentially a surge in demand for FSC-certified, PEFC and other sustainably sourced stocks."

In its ‘Cutting deforestation: Market restrictions get real’ paper, MSCI researchers added: “Firms that have been thinking of deforestation as an issue for somebody else or someday down the road, may have to get a handle on it and in a hurry.”

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