EU Detergents Regulation (EC) No 648/2004
The Detergents Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 ensures that cleaning products can move freely across the EU while maintaining a high level of protection for human health and the environment. The regulation places legal responsibilities on manufacturers, importers and distributors who place detergents on the EU market.
Detergents cover a broad range of products that include a substance, mixture, micro-organism, 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 complement the washing of fabrics,
- to support the cleaning process when used together with a laundry detergent or an automatic dishwasher detergent.
Note: In March 2026 the EU adopted new rules for detergents and surfactants under Regulation (EU) 2026/405. The revised Regulation will have full implementation from September 2029.
The information provided here relates to Regulation 648/2004.
Detergent Labelling & Packaging
The labelling and packaging of detergent products must comply with the requirements of the Detergent Regulations. In addition, where the detergent product is classified as hazardous, it must be labelled in accordance with the rules set out in the Classification and Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation.
The label for detergent products must include the following:
- name and trade name of the product;
- name, full address and telephone number of the party responsible for placing the product on the market;
- the address, e-mail address (where available) and telephone number from where an Ingredient Datasheet may be obtained;
- a list of specific constituents (listed in Annex VII of the Detergent Regulation) if present in concentrations >0.2% in the product e.g. phosphates, aliphatic hydrocarbons. A weight percentage range must be provided;
- names of any enzymes, disinfectants, perfumes, preservatives, optical brighteners if present in the product;
- names of any allergenic fragrances (as listed in Annex III of the Cosmetics Directive); and
- website address where the list of ingredients of the detergent product is provided (for detergents intended solely for professional use i.e. industrial and institutional uses this is not required if the equivalent information is provided by means of a technical data sheet/ safety data sheet or in a similar manner).
For a hazard label to meet the requirements of CLP it must contain the following:
- Name, address and telephone number of the EU supplier
- Product identifiers e.g. chemical name and CAS/EC no. for a substance/trade name of a mixture as well as chemical name(s) of all substances responsible for classification of mixture (excluding skin and eye irritants)
- Relevant hazard pictogram(s)
- Relevant signal word: either Warning or Danger
- Hazard statement(s)
- Appropriate precautionary statements
- Nominal quantity (for supply to general public)
- Unique formula identifier (UFI), if the product is a hazardous mixture (health and physical hazards)
- Obligatory supplemental information
The packaging of laundry detergent products sold to the general public must include the following:
- recommended quantities and/or dosage instructions for a standard machine load for soft, medium and hard water classes for one or two cycle washing processes;
- the capacity of any measuring cup indicating doses to be used; and
- the number of standard washing machine loads of normally and lightly soiled fabrics that can be washed using medium water hardness.
Ingredient Data Sheets
Manufacturers placing detergent mixtures on the market, must, upon request, make available without delay and free of charge, to any medical personnel, an ingredient data sheet which includes the full composition of all chemical ingredients intentionally added to the product. Each chemical substance must be identified by its common chemical name, IUPAC name,and, where available, CAS number, and INCI name (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) and the European Pharmacopoeia name. These substances must be listed in descending order of weight in the following bands:
- 10% or more,
- 1% or over, but less than 10%,
- 1% or over, but less than 1%,
- less than 0.1%.
Manufacturers are required to publish the ingredient data sheets on their website, but the following information can be omitted;
- information on weight percentage ranges is not required,
- CAS numbers are not required,
- the ingredient names shall be given in INCI nomenclature, or where this is not available, the European Pharmacopoeia name, shall be given. If neither name is available, the common chemical name or IUPAC name shall be used instead.
Publication of the ingredient data sheet is not required for industrial or institutional detergents, or surfactants for which a technical data sheet or safety data sheet is available. Access to the website shall not be subject to any restriction or condition and the content of the website shall be kept up to date.
Ultimate Biodegradability of Surfactants
Surfactants used in detergents must achieve "ultimate biodegradability.", meaning they must break down entirely into carbon dioxide, water and mineral salts under aerobic conditions. Manufacturers must use the specific test methods outlined in Annex III of the Regulation to prove compliance. If a surfactant fails the test but passes secondary testing (showing "inherent" biodegradability), a manufacturer may apply for a specific derogation from the EU Commission under strict industrial-use conditions. Surfactants that do not break down cannot be used in consumer products.
Restrictions on Phosphates
The Regulation enforces strict limits on phosphorus compounds in consumer laundry detergents which must not contain more than 0.5 grams of total phosphorus per standard dosage. Consumer automatic dishwashing detergents products must not exceed 0.3 grams of total phosphorus per standard dosage.
Note: Industrial and institutional detergents are currently exempt from these specific phosphorus limits, though they remain subject to local water discharge restrictions.