Council and Parliament of the EU Agree on Safer Cleaning Products Regulation
The European Union has reached a provisional deal on an update to the regulation on detergents and surfactants, aiming to strengthen product safety and improve market access for all detergent products. The new rules, which are part of the broader circular economy background, are set to enter into force 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal.
Under the new regulations, economic operators will have to comply with the new rules 42 months after their entry into force. Importers and distributors are required to have an EU-based company or an authorized representative to ensure that detergent products imported from outside the EU comply with European regulations. This measure is designed to enhance protection against unsafe products entering the EU, particularly in online sales.
One of the key aspects of the new regulations is the introduction of a digital product passport, accessible via tools like QR codes. This passport will be required at EU borders, including for online sales, to provide consumers with easy access to product information. Voluntary digital labelling will also be available to ensure product information is accessible to all consumers, regardless of digital literacy.
Animal testing will be generally banned for detergent products, aligning with the EU's commitment to reducing animal testing. The development of biodegradability criteria for other organic substances present in detergents in a concentration of at least 10 percent is also planned, with a focus on prioritizing the development of new biodegradability criteria for detergents, giving priority to polymeric detergent capsule films.
The new rules also support sustainability efforts by promoting the safe and accessible sale of detergents through refill stations to reduce packaging waste. Information on ingredients for non-hazardous detergents will be required to be submitted to national poison centres before they enter the market, to support emergency health responses.
The Council and the European Parliament have reached a political provisional deal on the update to the regulation on detergents and surfactants. The Council has a negotiating mandate for the finalization of the agreement. The Commission's proposal has been generally agreed upon by the Council. The changes aim to simplify compliance for businesses and enforcement for national authorities by aligning detergents legislation with standard product rules already in place for about 30 product categories.
The new regulations are a significant step towards ensuring the safety and sustainability of detergent products in the EU market. They will provide consumers with easy access to product information, reduce animal testing, promote sustainable packaging practices, and enhance protection against unsafe products entering the EU, particularly in online sales.
