http://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/chemicals/specific-chemicals_en
Detergents are products containing soaps or other surfactants intended for washing and cleaning.
Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on detergents ensures that only detergents with surfactants that are fully biodegradable may be placed on the market. In addition, detergent labels must contain ingredient and dosage information. This is to protect the health of consumers, especially against allergies, and to avoid the over-use of detergents.
In particular, this Regulation harmonises the following rules for placing detergents and surfactants for detergents, on the EU market:
the biodegradability of surfactants in detergents
restrictions or bans on surfactants on grounds of biodegradability
the additional labelling of detergents, including fragrance allergens
the information that manufacturers must hold at the disposal of national authorities and medical personnel
limitations on the content of phosphates and other phosphorus compounds in consumer laundry detergents and consumer automatic dishwasher detergents.
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/chemicals/legislation_en
Current legislation on detergents
Unofficial consolidation of the Regulation (EC) No 648/2004
List of the 26 allergenic substances (11 kB) which must be labelled on the packaging of detergents if added at concentrations exceeding 0.01% w/w - see Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on the Cosmetics website / Legislation updates
List of the Member States (55 kB) having confirmed that they intend to keep existing national restrictions on the content of phosphates and of other phosphorus compounds in line with Article 14.3 of Regulation (EU) No 259/2012
Guidance on the implementation of the detergents legislation
These guidance documents are not legally binding. They have been drafted by trade associations. The Commission is not responsible for the content.
AISE has produced a guideline to help industry with the implementation of the provisions on the biodegradability of surfactants and on the labelling of detergents under Regulation (EC) No 648/2004
CESIO guideline (164 kB) which gives standardised declarations on biodegradability for use on Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to enable surfactant manufacturers to fulfil their responsibilities under Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 648/2004
AISE/CESIO/ECOSOL/FECC guidelines (381 kB) on the transmission of information for surfactants biodegradability as indicated by Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 648/2004
Reports of the Commission on the implementation of the detergents legislation
Commission report concerning the biodegradability of the main non-surfactant organic detergent ingredients (May 2009)
Commission report concerning anaerobic biodegradation (May 2009)
Commission report on phosphates in detergents (April 2007)
Final report (79 kB) (1996-2001) on the results reached by the implementation of Commission
Recommendation 98/480/EC of 22 July 1998, concerning good environmental practice for household laundry detergents
Studies
Ex-Post Evaluation of Detergents Regulation 648/2004
2014 Evaluation of the use of phosphates in Consumer Automatic Dishwasher Detergents (CADD) - study report (1MB)
2009 laymans summary of the INIA report (155 kB)
2009 updated CEEP-INIA study report (3 MB) of the European Quantitative Eutrophication Risk Assessment of Polyphosphates in Detergents
2007 CEEP-INIA study report of the European Quantitative Eutrophication Risk Assessment of Polyphosphates in Detergents (2 MB) and the revised summary of the report (78 kB)
Non-surfactant Organic Ingredients and Zeolite-based Detergents (845 kB), study carried out by RPA Ltd, June 2006
Biodegradation of Detergent Surfactants in Anaerobic Conditions, study carried out by UMSICHT in July 2003
Cationic & Amphoteric Surfactant Primary Biodegradability Ring Test, ETD/98/502063(193 kB)
Review of the Detergents Regulation 648/2004
Contact points
Associations and federations (538 kB)
European Commission: Requests by manufacturers for derogations under Art. 5, and enquiries concerning the detergents legislation
List of approved laboratories (56 kB) in accordance with Art. 8 of Regulation 648/2004
National authorities (122 kB)
Frequently asked questions
FAQ on the Detergent Regulation (456 kB)