What the law requires in Scotland
In Scotland, legislation ensures that free period products are available to people who menstruate and need them. The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act places a duty on certain public bodies and colleges to make free period products available in toilets and suitable spaces. This law aims to reduce period poverty and help people manage their menstrual health with dignity. Below is what you need to know about who must provide products, what products are covered, and how the rules are enforced.
Why free period products became a legal requirement
Period poverty affects people across Scotland, including students, homeless people, and low-income residents. Recognising this, the Scottish Parliament passed the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act. The Act treats period products as essential health items, similar to toilet paper, rather than luxury goods. By legally requiring provision in specific settings, the law seeks to ensure consistent access in education, health, and housing services where people may otherwise struggle to afford products.
Who must provide free period products
Under the law, specific public bodies and publicly funded bodies have a legal duty to provide free period products. This includes local authorities, health boards, and publicly funded colleges. Schools are generally covered through colleges and education funding arrangements, while prisons and youth justice services also have obligations. The goal is to cover environments where people may need products during the day but might not feel comfortable purchasing them on-site. Organisations must place products in toilets or accessible toilets and ensure dispensers or cabinets are maintained and stocked.
Public bodies with a legal duty
- Local authorities, including councils that manage schools, housing, and community services
- NHS health boards and publicly funded health services that provide care to people who menstruate
- Colleges and other publicly funded further and higher education institutions
- Prison and youth justice services where residents may menstruate
What counts as a period product
The law includes a range of items designed to manage menstruation safely and effectively. Free products must be suitable for absorbing or collecting menstrual flow and should allow people to manage their periods with dignity. Organisations are not required to provide every product type, but they should offer a mix that meets basic needs. Staff are expected to maintain dispenser systems and replace products when dispensers are empty or out of order.
Products typically covered
| Product type | What it is | Typical availability |
|---|---|---|
| Pads (with or without wings) | Absorbent pads worn with underwear | Common in dispensers and cabinets |
| Tampons (with or without applicator) | Internal absorbent products | Often provided in dispensers |
| Menstrual cups | Reusable bell-shaped cups | Sometimes available on request or in health services |
| Period underwear | Absorbent reusable underwear | Increasingly offered in colleges and some services |
| Disposable underwear | Single-use absorbent underwear | Available in some organisations |
Where to get free period products in Scotland
Free period products are most commonly found in public buildings managed by organisations with a legal duty. In practice, this means you can often access products in school and college toilets, NHS clinics, some council offices, and prison facilities. Many organisations use wall-mounted dispensers or locked cabinets that staff manage. If you are unsure whether a specific building provides products, staff at reception or student services can usually confirm. Products are generally available at no cost to the user and do not require proof of need or identification.
Typical locations where products are provided
- Toilets and accessible toilets in council-run buildings
- NHS health centres, hospitals, and clinics
- Colleges and universities that are publicly funded
- Prison and youth justice establishments
How to ask if products are available
If you are in a building and need a period product, you can ask a staff member at reception, in Student Services, or at a health centre. Many organisations have clear signage near toilets or at reception indicating where products are located. If you cannot find products or dispensers appear empty, staff should be able to tell you when the next restock is scheduled or direct you to another nearby location that can help. In some councils, you can also report consistently empty dispensers online or by phone to help ensure services maintain their supplies.
Your rights and what to do if access is denied
When a public body has a legal duty, people who need period products should be able to access them free of charge and without unnecessary barriers. If you believe a public organisation is not following the law, you can often raise concerns first with staff or student unions, and, if needed, contact the relevant oversight body or local council. While the information below does not constitute legal advice, it is grounded in the statutory duties that apply in Scotland. Organisations are expected to keep dispensers stocked, maintain privacy and dignity, and ensure products are available to anyone who needs them during opening hours.
Quick rights checklist
- Access should be free; no payment or proof of need is required
- Products should be available in a private and dignified setting
- Organisations should keep dispensers stocked and functional
- If one location cannot help, staff should point you to another nearby option