NOTICE TO MEMBERS Petition No 1228/2023 by S.V.M (Spanish) on increased access to feminine hygiene products in the EU

European Parliament 2024-2029 Committee on Petitions 15.5.2025 NOTICE TO MEMBERS Subject: Petition No 1228/2023 by S.V.M (Spanish) on increased access to feminine hygiene products in the EU 1. Summary of petition The petitioner addresses the issue of women’s health and feminine hygiene products, especially in relation to the high prices of menstrual hygiene products. She explains that some regions, such as Germany and the Canary Islands in Spain, have reduced or eliminated taxes on these items, while Scotland already offers free access to them. According to the petitioner, these practices should serve as an example and be adopted across the EU. The petitioner suggests promoting the use of menstrual cups as a more environment-friendly alternative, highlighting their longer lifespan and benefits for health monitoring. The petitioner calls for the provision of free menstrual cups to women, encouraging them to move away from less sustainable products. In addition, she suggests regulating the prices of other menstrual hygiene products to make them more affordable, preventing women from facing economic burdens on account of a natural process. 2. Admissibility Declared admissible on 25 March 2024. Information requested from Commission under Rule 233(5). 3. Commission reply, received on 15 May 2025 Petition 1228/2023 The Commission’s observations As regards the tax aspect of this petition, the Commission recalls that the value-added tax (VAT) Directive provides...