Press Release: EU legislation on detergents simplified and aquatic environment better protected

From 8 October 2005 a new Regulation introduced stricter testing methods for the biodegradability of detergent surfactants. Focus of this legislation was on testing the ultimate rather than the primary biodegradability and labelling requirements for the protection of consumer health was also improved, in particular with regard to allergenic substances in detergents. This new legal act brought together five directives and one Commission recommendation on the labelling of detergents in a single text.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Eur-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 [...] of 31 March 2004 on detergents http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enterprise/chemicals/legislation/detergents/legislation/regulation_648_detergents.pdf

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