EU Detergents Regulation Update: Upcoming Revision Explained

EU Detergents and Surfactants Regulation 2025: Key Changes and Compliance Implications

The EU Detergents and Surfactants Regulation 2025 represents a significant evolution in the European Union’s approach to regulating everyday cleaning products. Reflecting advances in sustainability, digitalisation, and product safety, the regulation modernises the existing framework while strengthening protection for both consumers and the environment.

Implementation Status

The Council of the European Union has approved its first-reading position, completing the legislative process at Council level and bringing the regulation close to formal adoption. Final approval is expected during a plenary session of the European Parliament.The new rules will apply three and a half years after the regulation enters into force, providing businesses with a defined transition period for compliance.

Objectives and Scope

The regulation aims to ensure that all detergents and surfactants placed on the EU market are:

• Safe for human health

• Environmentally responsible

• Fully traceable throughout the supply chain

To achieve these objectives, it introduces harmonised requirements across Member States, simplifies compliance obligations, strengthens market surveillance, and mandates the use of digital transparency tools, including the Digital Product Passport (DPP).

Key Regulatory Changes

1. Mandatory CE Marking

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of mandatory CE marking for detergents and surfactants. All detergent products placed on the EU market must bear a visible, legible, and indelible CE mark, supported by documented conformity assessment procedures.

The CE marking confirms compliance with EU requirements relating to safety, environmental protection, labelling, performance, and traceability. This measure enhances consumer confidence and facilitates the free movement of compliant products within the EU single market.

2. Enhanced Safety and Environmental Protection

Under the new regulation, all surfactants must meet ultimate biodegradability criteria to be placed on the EU market, whether sold as standalone substances or incorporated into detergents.

For the first time, the regulation also introduces explicit safety requirements for microorganisms used in detergents, ensuring that innovative microbial and bio-based products meet defined standards for human health and environmental protection.

Existing restrictions on phosphates and other phosphorus compounds in consumer laundry detergents and automatic dishwasher detergents are maintained, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to reducing nutrient pollution and protecting aquatic ecosystems. The ban on animal testing is also preserved, with only narrowly defined scientific exceptions.

3. Digitalisation and Transparency

Digital tools are central to the new regulatory framework. Key requirements include:

• Mandatory digital access to product information via QR codes or equivalent solutions

• Introduction of the Digital Product Passport, accessible to consumers, authorities, and poison centres

• Explicit applicability to online sales and imported products

These measures significantly improve transparency, traceability, and enforcement across the supply chain.

4. Support for Innovation and Refill Models

The regulation promotes innovation and sustainability by:

• Introducing specific provisions for microbial detergents and surfactants

• Encouraging refill and bulk sales models to reduce packaging waste, while ensuring continued access to mandatory product information

5. Introduction of Authorised Representatives

A key structural change affects non-EU manufacturers, who must appoint an authorised representative established in the EU. This representative acts as the official contact point for market surveillance authorities and supports ongoing compliance.

Responsibilities include:

• Holding technical and conformity documentation

• Supporting compliance checks and inspections

• Cooperating on corrective actions, including recalls

• Verifying CE marking, labelling, and Digital Product Passport compliance

This requirement strengthens enforcement and ensures a level playing field between EU and non-EU operators.

What This Means for Businesses and Consumers

For businesses, the regulation introduces harmonised compliance requirements, mandatory CE marking, digital documentation obligations, and increased accountability for importers and non-EU manufacturers—while encouraging sustainable innovation. Early preparation, particularly for conformity assessment and digital readiness, will be critical.

For consumers, the regulation delivers easier access to reliable product information, stronger health and environmental protection, greater trust in CE-marked products, and expanded availability of sustainable, refill-based detergent options.

Conclusion

With Council approval secured and final parliamentary adoption pending, the EU Detergents and Surfactants Regulation 2025 establishes a modern, future-ready regulatory framework. By combining CE marking, digital transparency, environmental safeguards, and strengthened enforcement mechanisms, the regulation reinforces trust in the EU single market while supporting innovation and alignment with REACH and CLP requirements.

The transition period provides businesses with time to adapt, while consumers benefit from safer products, clearer information, and more sustainable everyday cleaning solutions.

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