News Details

On 22 January 2026, the European Parliament approved updated rules on detergents, revising the 2004 Detergents Regulation to reflect new market developments such as products containing living microorganisms and refill-based sales. The Parliament had previously adopted its position on the proposal in June 2025.

While detergents are essential for health and hygiene, they can also pose risks to human health and the environment. In 2020, the European detergents market was valued at €41.2 billion, accounting for around 4.2% of the EU chemicals sector, with Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and Poland responsible for about 85% of total production.

Key Enhancements to Detergent Safety, Transparency, and Environmental Protection

The revised rules aim to improve consumer protection, safety, and environmental performance of detergents. Product labels will become clearer and more accessible, with enhanced ingredient transparency, special consideration for vulnerable groups, and additional information provided through digital labels and a new digital product passport. Detergents sold as refills will be required to carry the same physical labelling as standard products, and further measures may be introduced to prevent overuse through clearer dosing instructions.

The revised framework strengthens access to information for poison centres and requires professional-use warnings on industrial detergents. According to the European Parliament, the Commission must assess the risks to human health and the environment by the most harmful substances and consider phasing them out. New risk assessment methods will be developed for detergents containing microorganisms, and animal testing will be banned in response to public demand.

Environmental measures include stricter biodegradability requirements for organic ingredients and the mandatory biodegradability of polymer films used in detergent capsules within six years. There will also be review of current phosphorus limits to assess whether further reductions are needed to reduce pollution risks.

Next steps

The vote marks the end of the decision-making process. The updated rules will take effect 20 days after publication in the EU Official Journal and will apply three and a half years later.