The European Detergent Regulation

Regulation (EU) 2026/405 came into force in 2026 and replaced Regulation (EC) No 642/2004 throughout EU Member States. Concerns about detergents started in the 70s due to the presence of surfactants, compounds that lower the surface tension between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants have toxic effects on aquatic fauna and flora. National directives in the early 70s set criteria for biodegradability of products to avoid toxic accumulation in the environment.

In 2026, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2026/405 for the entire European Union. This regulation adds a Digital Product Passport with QR-code data carriers, permits digital labeling alongside required physical labels, expands scope to detergents with intentionally added micro-organisms, refill products, and distance sales, and sets new biodegradability criteria for films and polymers on a phased timeline through 2034.

A few definitions from Article 2 of Regulation 2026/405

According to the definition provided by the EU Regulation, a 'Detergent' "a substance, mixture or micro-organisms, or a combination thereof, which are intended: to clean fabrics, dishes or surfaces, to soak (pre-wash), rinse or bleach fabrics, dishes or surfaces, to modify the feel or odour of fabrics in processes which are to complement the washing of fabrics, to support the cleaning process when used together with a laundry detergent or an automatic dishwasher detergent"

Other products to be considered as detergents are:

• "Auxiliary washing mixture", intended for soaking (pre-washing), rinsing or bleaching clothes, household linen, etc.;
• "Laundry fabric-softener", intended to modify the feel of fabrics in processes which are to complement the washing of fabrics;
• "Cleaning mixture", intended for domestic all purposes cleaners and/or other cleaning of surfaces (e.g.: materials, products, machinery, mechanical appliances, means of transport and associated equipment, instruments, apparatus, etc.).
• "Other cleaning and washing mixtures", intended for any other washing and cleaning processes.

Glossary

For a more understandable reading, please find few definitions of key words of detergent regulation:

• Surfactant: "means any organic substance and/or mixture used in detergents which has surface-active properties and which consists of one or more hydrophilic and one or more hydrophobic groups of such a nature size that it is capable of reducing the surface tension of water, and of forming spreading or adsorption monolayers at the water-air interface, and of forming emulsions and/or mircoemulsions and/or micelles, and of adsorption at water-solid interfaces".
• Primary biodegradation: "means the structural change (transformation) of a surfactant by micro-organisms resulting in the loss of its surface-active properties due to the degradation of the parent substance and consequential loss of the surface-active property as measured by test methods listed in Annex II."
• Ultimate aerobic biodegradation: "means the level of biodegradation achieved when the surfactant is totally used by micro-organisms in the presence of oxygen resulting in its breakdown to carbon dioxide, water and mineral salts of any other elements (mineralization), as measured by test methods listed in Annex III, and new microbial cellular constituents (biomass)."

Biodegradability of surfactants

After use, the majority of detergents are found in waste water collection systems. To avoid the destruction of the ecosystem, the EU Regulation 648/2004 requires surfactants to be biodegradable. Depending on the quality of the surfactant used, biodegradation times will vary, making it more or less harmful to the environment. The biodegradability of a substance is its ability to be broken down into simpler substances by microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) in waters or into the ground.

The EU Detergent Regulation uses OECD's method as a reference to assess the biodegradability of a surfactant. This method can be found in the OECD's publication of June 1976 on the "Proposed Method for the determination of the Biodegradability of Surfactants in Synthetic Detergents". Annex II of Regulation No 648/2004 details 4 analytical test methods depending on the surfactant:

• Anionic Surfactants
• Non-ionic Surfactants
• Cationic Surfactants
• Amphoteric Surfactants

Ultimate biodegradability

According to Annex III "Surfactants in detergents shall be considered as biodegradable if the level of biodegradability (mineralization) measured according to one of the following test (please see the Annex) is at least 60 % within 28 days".

Surfactants also used as biocidal active substances

If the surfactant is also used as a biocidal active substance, you must comply with the Detergent Regulation AND the Biocidal Product Regulation No 528/2012 (BPR).

Article 3 of the detergent Regulation states: "When placed on the market, detergents and surfactants for detergents referred to in Article 1 shall conform with the conditions, characteristics and limits laid down in this Regulation and its Annexes and, where relevant, with Directive 98/8/EC –now BPR Regulation No 528/2012- and with any other relevant Community legislation. Surfactants that are also active substances within the meaning of Directive 98/8/EC and that are used as disinfectants are exempt from the provisions of Annexes II, III, IV and VIII of this Regulation […]"

Restrictions on Phosphates

Article 6 of the Regulation states "Detergents listed in Annex III that do not comply with the limitations on the content of phosphates and of other phosphorus compounds laid down in that Annex shall not be placed on the market from the dates set out therein."

The limitations on the content of phosphates and of other phosphorus compounds concern mainly:

• Consumer laundry detergents: "The total content of phosphorus shall be lower than 0,5 grams in the recommended quantity of the detergent to be used in the main cycle of the washing process for a standard washing machine load as defined in Part B of Annex V for hard water: (i) for 'normally soiled' fabrics in the case of heavy-duty detergents; (ii) for 'lightly soiled' fabrics in the case of detergents for delicate fabrics."
• Consumer automatic dishwasher detergents: "The total content of phosphorus shall be lower than 0,3 grams in the standard dosage as defined in Part B of Annex V."

How to label detergent products?

The label of a detergent product must comply with the Classification, Labeling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.

The requirements are:

• The name and trade name of the product
• The name or trade name or trademark and full address and telephone number of the party responsible for placing the product on the market
• The address, email, where available, and telephone number from which the referred datasheet can be obtained

This information is defined by Article 11 of the Detergent Regulation and must appear in legible, visible and indelible characters on the packaging for consumers. The packaging must indicate the content, in accordance with the specifications provided in Annex VII A. It shall also indicate instructions for use and special precautions, if required.

Annex VII of Regulation 648/2004 lays down the requirements for the labeling and ingredient datasheet. The following provisions on labeling must apply to the packaging of detergents sold to the general public.

The following weight percentage ranges must be used to indicate the content of the constituents:

• Less than 5 %
• 5 % over but less than 15 %
• 15 % or over but less than 30 %
• 30 % and more

The constituents listed below must have weight percentage ranges displayed where they are added in a concentration above 0.2 % by weight:

Phosphates, — phosphonates, — anionic surfactants, — cationic surfactants, — amphoteric surfactants, — non-ionic surfactants, — oxygen-based bleaching agents, — chlorine-based bleaching agents, — EDTA and salts thereof, — NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid) and salts thereof, — phenols and halogenated phenols, — paradichlorobenzene, — aromatic hydrocarbons, — aliphatic hydrocarbons, — halogenated hydrocarbons, — soap, — zeolites, — polycarboxylates.

The following classes of constituents, if added, must be listed irrespective of their concentration:

Enzymes, — disinfectants, — optical brighteners, — perfumes

If added, as such, at concentrations exceeding 0.01 % by weight, the allergenic fragrances that appear on the list of cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 must be listed on the label.

How EU and U.S. Detergent Labeling Compare

In the EU, detergent labels must follow both the Detergents Regulation and the CLP Regulation, which sets hazard classification and labeling rules. Ingredients above set thresholds must be listed on the label, including certain fragrance allergens above 0.01%, and manufacturers must publish a full ingredient list online.

In the U.S., there is no single federal detergent regulation. Hazard warnings on household cleaning products fall under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and products that make disinfecting claims are regulated as pesticides by the EPA. Ingredient disclosure is mostly set at the state level. California's Cleaning Product Right to Know Act, for example, requires manufacturers to disclose intentionally added ingredients online and on the product label.

Brands selling in both markets should plan separate label versions, since EU and U.S. requirements differ in format, content, and language. For a similar comparison in personal care, see Cosmetic Labeling: The Key Differences Between US and EU.

Scope of the detergent Regulation

In 2011, the European Commission published a guidance based on frequently asked questions. Here is a non-exhaustive list of specific cases:

1- Contact lens care
Contact lens care solutions are considered as Medical Devices. The product must then comply with the Medical Devices Directive. Indeed, the main purpose of the surfactants in the care solutions is to rewet the surface of the lens, not to clean it.

2- Animal cleaning product
Animal cleaning products are not considered detergents, and there is no specific EU legislation dedicated to products used for the cleaning of pets. As chemical mixtures, such products must still comply with the CLP and REACH regulations.

3- Foam sponges
Foam sponges that are pre-charged with detergent when placed on the market, and that are intended for cleaning and polishing (e.g. shoes), are considered to be a form of vehicle delivering the detergent formula. Therefore, the foam sponge by itself is not considered a detergent but an 'article'.

What is compliance based on?

Compliance with the Detergent Regulation and its various requirements will rely on several steps:

1. Define the classification of the finished product based on its formula, the SDS of the surfactants, and the criteria of the CLP Regulation.
2. Check that biodegradability studies are in accordance with Annex II and III of the Regulation.
3. Bring the SDS of the finished product into compliance with the REACH and CLP Regulations.
4. Bring the label of the finished product in line with the CLP & Detergent Regulations, i.e., ingredient listing, claims, and translation should be carefully checked.
5. For finished products sold to the general public, make sure that the web page dedicated to such product is aligned with the requirements of the Detergent Regulation.
6. Final registration before the relevant Anti-Poison centers of the concerned EU countries should be done.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new EU Detergents Regulation?

Regulation (EU) 2026/405 replaces Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 as the EU's rulebook for detergents and surfactants. It entered into force on March 22, 2026, and most requirements apply from September 23, 2029.

When does Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 stop applying?

It is repealed on September 23, 2029. Until then, it remains the main compliance baseline for detergents sold in the EU.

What is the Digital Product Passport for detergents?

A digital record of product information for detergents and surfactants sold in the EU, accessed through a data carrier such as a QR code on the package.

Can detergent labels be digital under the new rules?

Partly. The regulation allows digital labeling, but some information must still appear on the physical label.

What are the EU phosphate limits for detergents?

Consumer laundry detergents are limited to 0.5 grams of total phosphorus per standard dose, and consumer automatic dishwasher detergents to 0.3 grams per standard dose.

How do EU and U.S. detergent labeling rules differ?

The EU sets labeling and ingredient disclosure rules at the regional level through the Detergents and CLP Regulations. In the U.S., hazard labeling is set federally, and ingredient disclosure is mainly set by states such as California.

EcoMundo's Services

Do not hesitate to contact us: contact@ecomundo.eu, if you have any question about detergent compliance or if you're looking for specific services. EcoMundo can help you place your products on the EU market and can provide the following services:

• Detergent Regulation 648/2004 services
• Detergent compliance for Europe
• Detergent labeling compliance services
• Detergent artwork services
• Detergent Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Detergent Biodegradability studies

Contact us via phone: for North-America please use +1 (778) 231-1607 or for Europe +33 (0)1 83 64 20 54.

Interested in Learning More?

The below articles may interest you:

• Take a look at How to make cosmetic claims in Europe
• Cosmetic Labeling: The Key Differences Between US and EU

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