Detergents
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1. Current legislation on detergents
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• Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 - This Regulation establishes rules designed to achieve the free movement of detergents and surfactants for detergents in the internal market while, at the same time, ensuring a high degree of protection of the environment and human health. (Art. 1). 'Detergent' means any substance or mixture soaps and/or other surfactants intended for washing and cleaning processes. (Art. 2 (1)). Definitions of a 'substance' and 'mixture' are harmonised with REACH regulation.
• List of the 26 allergenic substances 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 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

2. Guidance on the implementation of the detergents legislation

These guidance documents are not legally binding. They have been drafted by trade associations. The European Commission and eEuropa.org 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 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 on the transmission of information for surfactants biodegradability as indicated by Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 648/2004
• AISE Wash-Right Website

3. Reports of the Commission on the implementation of the detergents legislation
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• 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 (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

4. Studies
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• 2014 Evaluation of the use of phosphates in Consumer Automatic Dishwasher Detergents (CADD) - study report 
• 2009 laymans summary of the INIA report
• 2009 updated CEEP-INIA study report 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 and the revised summary of the report
• Non-surfactant Organic Ingredients and Zeolite-based Detergents, 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

5. Contact points
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• Associations and federations 
• European Commission: Requests by manufacturers for derogations under Art. 5, and enquiries concerning the detergents legislation
• List of approved laboratories in accordance with Art. 8 of Regulation 648/2004
• National authorities

6. Frequently asked questions
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• FAQ on the Detergent Regulation