Surfactants used in washing powders can have a toxic effect in surface waters and can impose a burden on waste water treatment plants. To reduce these negative impacts on the aquatic environment, five different EU directives dating back to the 1970s already ensure that detergents are biodegradable to a large extent. From 8th October a new Regulation introduces stricter testing methods for the biodegradability of detergent surfactants. Focus is now put on testing the ultimate rather than the primary biodegradability and labelling requirements for the protection of consumer health is also improved, in particular with regard to allergenic substances in detergents. This new legal act is another example of Better Regulation, as it simplifies EU law by bringing together five directives and one Commission recommendation on the labelling of detergents in a single text.
Commission Vice-President Gnter Verheugen said: "The Commission sticks to its promise to make EU law simpler. This is another example of making the EU law slimmer. Trade in the internal market in detergents will be easier. At the same time we do more to protect the aquatic environment and consumer's health."
For the first time, a Regulation will be used for detergents to ensure the uniform application of detailed technical requirements in the Member States, and to facilitate subsequent amendments that will be required to keep up with developing scientific knowledge on surfactants.
The focus of environmental concern in the past was to prevent foaming in rivers caused by surfactants, a key substance used in all detergents. While this has largely been achieved, the new Regulation modernizes and substantially extends the scope of the detergent directives, all of which concern the biodegradability of detergents surfactants. The benefits in short:
- All types of detergent surfactants are now covered.
- Consumer and environmental protection standards are improved by stricter testing requirements. About 10% of detergent surfactants, used primarily in fabric softeners and in dishwashing products were previously excluded through a lack of agreed testing methods.
- Better information for consumers: Labelling on the content of detergent and cleaning products becomes mandatory. New labelling rules ensure indication of those detergent ingredients which can cause allergies.
- The text provides a single, more user-friendly piece of legislation.
Better Regulation: Why a regulation is replacing directives?
Harmonisation of detailed technical standards requires uniform application in the Member States. Being directly applicable, a regulation ensures this. Furthermore, the regulation is likely to be amended in the future to keep up with the constant development of scientific knowledge in the field of surfactants. Thus the lengthy implementation procedure imposed on each Member State by directives, and the repetition of this each time there are technical amendments, will no longer be necessary.
The text of the Regulation can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/chemicals/detergents/index.htm