EU Detergents Regulation Update: Upcoming Revision Explained

EU Detergents and Surfactants Regulation 2025: A Modern Framework for Safer and More Sustainable Products

The EU Detergents and Surfactants Regulation 2025 marks a significant step forward in the European Union’s approach to regulating everyday cleaning products. Designed to reflect advances in sustainability, digitalisation, and product safety, the regulation modernises the existing framework while strengthening consumer and environmental protection across the EU single market.

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 following a plenary vote of the European Parliament.

Once adopted, the new rules will apply three and a half years after the regulation enters into force, providing businesses with a defined transition period to prepare 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 this, it introduces harmonised requirements across Member States, simplifies compliance obligations, strengthens market surveillance, and mandates digital transparency tools such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP).

Key Regulatory Changes

1. Mandatory CE Marking

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

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 regulation, all surfactants must meet ultimate biodegradability criteria to be placed on the EU market, whether sold individually 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 consumer 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 and scientifically justified exceptions.

3. Digitalisation and Transparency

Digital tools play a central role in 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, market surveillance authorities, and poison centres
  • Explicit applicability to online sales and imported products

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

4. Support for Innovation and Refill Models

The regulation supports innovation and sustainability by:

  • Introducing tailored 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.

The authorised representative serves as the official contact point for EU market surveillance authorities and supports ongoing compliance. Responsibilities include:

  • Holding technical and conformity documentation
  • Supporting compliance checks and investigations
  • 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 greater accountability for importers and non-EU manufacturers—while also 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, increased trust in CE-marked products, and broader 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, sustainability, and alignment with REACH and CLP requirements.

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

Preparing for the New EU Detergents Regulation?

Freyr provides end-to-end compliance support for REACH, CLP labelling, and related obligations under the Biocidal Products Regulation.
Connect with Freyr’s regulatory experts to mitigate risk and ensure full compliance with evolving EUchemicals regulations.




 

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