The United Kingdom on January 1, 2021 abolished the 5 percent rate of value-added-tax (VAT) on menstrual products, known as the tampon tax.
- According to the UK government, the revolutionary action was made possible by the end of the Brexit transition period, and freedom from an EU law that mandates VAT on sanitary products.
- In November2020, Scotland became the first country in the world to allow free and universal access to menstrual products, including tampons and pads, in public facilities.
- Globally, just a handful of countries have zero tax added to sanitary products, including Canada, India, Australia, Kenya and several US states.
