Regulatory Requirements
Household detergents are among the most frequently purchased and used consumer products with steady demand and sales and high turnover rates.
In the European Union it is mandatory to assure full compliance of detergent products or surfactants with the Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 before placing on the market. In addition, various other legal regulations and laws must generally be observed:
- Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on detergents is the main framework for placing detergents on the market
- Published in March 2026, EU Detergents and Surfactants Regulation (EU) 2026/405 comes into force September 23rd 2029, with key changes including prohibition of animal testing, introduction of digital product passports (DPP), changed biodegradability requirements, and regulations for microbial products.
- Requirements of the Biocidal Products Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 528/2012) may apply for certain products, as well as
- REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006
- Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances is regulated in Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008
- National law, as the German Wasch- und Reinigungsmittelgesetz (WRMG) needs to be considered
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Household detergents
Detergent Product Compliance and Market Placement
Total duration: ca. 2–8 weeks
01
Compliant ingredients?
- Are all ingredients REACH registered for use in detergent products?
- Surfactants must be ultimately biodegradable (derogations are possible)
- Limitations for phosphates and other phosphorous compounds
02
Documentary
- Product formulation considering specific substance function categories (e.g. anionic surfactants)
- Ingredient data sheet for medical personnel access
- Information on biodegradability tests of surfactants
03
Information distribution
- Free link to website with ingredient data sheet (no quantities!). Exceptions for industrial/institutional products
- UFI generation
- Safety data sheet
- Product label with proper use/dosage instructions and classification
- Poison center notification (PCN) for market area
04
Placing on the market
- No waiting for authority decisions
- Direct market access