Compliant Always
Get in touch

Selling cleaning products and detergents in the EU

In the EU, detergents fall under Regulation (EC) No 648/2004, which sets surfactant biodegradability and labelling rules. Hazardous mixtures are classified, labelled and packaged under the CLP Regulation, (EC) No 1272/2008, revised in 2024, and their composition is sent to poison centres. Products that kill harmful organisms need authorisation as biocidal products.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Detergents
Regulation (EC) No 648/2004
Hazard labelling
CLP, Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, revised by (EU) 2024/2865
Poison centres
Composition of hazardous mixtures, with a UFI on the label
Disinfectants
Authorisation under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012
Ingredients
A datasheet published on a website named on the pack
Chemicals
REACH restrictions, including intentionally added microplastics

Before a product goes on sale

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Do the surfactants meet the biodegradability criteria? Read more
  2. 2Does the pack carry the detergent particulars, content bands and dosage, and is the ingredient datasheet online? Read more
  3. 3Is the mixture classified as hazardous, and does the label carry the CLP elements? Read more
  4. 4Does the packaging need child-resistant fastenings or a tactile warning? Read more
  5. 5Has the composition been sent to the poison centres of the member states of sale? Read more
  6. 6Does it claim to kill germs, and is it authorised as a biocidal product? Read more
  7. 7Is any substance in it restricted under REACH? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

The Detergents Regulation

Biodegradability, labelling and ingredient information for detergents.

  • Surfactants, and detergents containing them, that meet the criteria for ultimate aerobic biodegradation in Annex III may be placed on the market without further limits on biodegradability (Article 4).
  • The consumer pack shows the name and trade name of the product; the name, full address and telephone number of the party responsible for placing it on the market; and where the ingredient datasheet can be obtained (Article 11).
  • Listed constituents added above 0.2%, such as phosphates, surfactants by type, bleaching agents, zeolites and soap, are declared in weight bands: less than 5%, 5% to 15%, 15% to 30%, and 30% and more. Enzymes, disinfectants, optical brighteners, perfumes and preservatives are listed whatever their concentration (Annex VII A).
  • Laundry detergents give dosage for soft, medium and hard water and the number of standard washing machine loads; automatic dishwasher detergents give the standard dose (Annex VII B).
  • Manufacturers publish an ingredient datasheet on a website open without restriction, and give its address on the pack (Annex VII A and D).
  • The Detergents Regulation cross-refers to the Cosmetic Products Regulation for fragrance allergens: the 56 further allergens added by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 apply to detergents with the same transition periods.
  • Where a member state requires labelling in its national language(s), that applies to the content and dosage information (Article 11(5)).

How we help: Compliant Always reads your pack and ingredient datasheet against Article 11 and Annex VII, and shows which particulars are missing. Ask about this

The new Detergents Regulation

Regulation (EU) 2026/405 of 11 February 2026 repeals Regulation (EC) No 648/2004.

  • It applies 42 months after it comes into force, in 2029, as the UK government's explanatory memorandum on it describes.
  • It brings a Digital Product Passport for market surveillance and customs controls, and lets refill sales give almost all labelling information digitally.
  • It adds risk management and testing requirements for microbial cleaning products, and stricter biodegradability standards for surfactants, including in films covering capsules.
  • Non-EU manufacturers appoint an authorised representative in the EU, who holds technical information and deals with market surveillance authorities.

How we help: Compliant Always watches the new Regulation as it moves towards application, and shows which of your products and labels it touches. Ask about this

Classification, labelling and packaging (CLP)

Hazard classification, the hazard label and packaging for hazardous mixtures.

  • For most substances and mixtures, manufacturers, importers, downstream users and distributors determine the hazard classification themselves; some substances have a harmonised classification in Annex VI.
  • A hazardous mixture in packaging carries a label with the supplier's name, address and telephone number, the nominal quantity where sold to the general public, product identifiers and, where applicable, pictograms, signal words, and hazard and precautionary statements (Article 17).
  • The label is written in the official language(s) of the member state where the mixture is placed on the market, unless that member state provides otherwise.
  • Packaging for the general public may not attract the curiosity of children, mislead consumers or look like food, feed, medicinal or cosmetic products; some hazards need child-resistant fastenings or a tactile warning (Article 35).
  • Liquid laundry detergent capsules carry extra requirements, including a bittering agent in the soluble film and packaging that is less attractive and harder for children to open (Regulation (EU) No 1297/2014).
  • The revised CLP Regulation entered into force on 10 December 2024. It requires online offers and advertisements to show hazard information, allows fold-out and digital labels, improves legibility, and sets rules for selling household chemicals through refill stations.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each product's classification, safety data sheet and label artwork together, dated, and watches the CLP amendments for changes. Ask about this

Poison centres

Composition information for emergency health response.

  • Importers and downstream users placing hazardous mixtures on the market give the bodies appointed in each member state information on their chemical composition, for emergency health response (Article 45).
  • Annex VIII to CLP harmonises that information; since 1 January 2021, businesses throughout the EU inform poison centres in the same format for mixtures for consumer use.
  • A unique formula identifier (UFI), a 16-character code on the label of a hazardous mixture, links the product to the information submitted.
  • ECHA publishes the contact list of appointed bodies.

How we help: Compliant Always records each poison centre submission and UFI with the formula it covers, so a formula change shows which submissions need updating. Ask about this

Disinfectants and biocidal products

Products made to control harmful organisms.

  • Biocidal products are used to control unwanted organisms that are harmful to human or animal health or the environment, or that cause damage.
  • Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 requires biocidal products to be authorised by a competent authority before they are placed on the market.
  • Active substances are assessed by an EU country, followed by a peer review, before they may be used in biocidal products.
  • The Regulation also has provisions that apply to treated articles, as well as to biocidal products.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the authorisation behind each disinfecting product with the product, and shows what is expiring. Ask about this

Chemical restrictions (REACH)

Substances limited or banned in the mixtures you sell.

  • REACH puts the responsibility on companies for the safety of the chemicals they manufacture, place on the market or use.
  • Restrictions in Annex XVII can limit or ban a substance on its own, in a mixture or in an article, and apply to imports as well as EU production.
  • Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 restricts intentionally added microplastics, and applied from 17 October 2023 to detergents containing microbeads.
  • The restriction on PFHxA and related substances adopted on 19 September 2024 covers consumer mixtures such as waterproofing sprays.
  • CLP is the basis for safety data sheets, which are managed through REACH.

How we help: Compliant Always reads your formula against the restrictions that apply, and watches Annex XVII for new entries. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
Manufacturer or formulatorClassification, the formula, surfactant biodegradability, the label and the ingredient datasheet.Formula, classification, datasheet and label kept together and dated.
Importer or downstream userPoison centre information for the hazardous mixtures it places on the market, and its own CLP duties.Submissions and UFIs recorded with the formula they cover.
BrandThe pack it sells under its name, as the party responsible for placing it on the market.The pack read against the detergent and CLP particulars.
DistributorIts CLP duties for the mixtures it supplies.Safety data sheets and labels ready for each customer that asks.

Member states

The Regulations apply directly, but member states set the label languages, run the poison centres and authorise biocidal products. Some member states keep national limits on phosphates in detergents.

Questions businesses ask

Which EU law covers detergents?
Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on detergents, which sets biodegradability rules for surfactants and labelling rules. Hazardous detergents also fall under the CLP Regulation, (EC) No 1272/2008.
Is there a new EU Detergents Regulation?
Yes. Regulation (EU) 2026/405 of 11 February 2026 repeals Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 and applies 42 months after it comes into force, in 2029. It adds a Digital Product Passport, digital labelling for refills and rules for microbial cleaners.
What must a detergent label show in the EU?
The product's name, the name, address and telephone number of the party placing it on the market, where to get the ingredient datasheet, content in weight bands, instructions for use and, for laundry and dishwasher detergents, dosage.
Do detergent ingredients have to be published online?
Yes. Manufacturers publish an ingredient datasheet on a website open without restriction, and give the website address on the pack. Industrial and institutional detergents with a technical or safety data sheet are excepted.
Do fragrance allergens have to be listed on detergents?
Yes, above 0.01% by weight. The Detergents Regulation follows the Cosmetic Products Regulation, and the allergens added by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 apply to detergents with the same transition periods.
What is CLP?
The Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation, (EC) No 1272/2008. It applies the UN Globally Harmonised System in the EU, sets the hazard label and packaging rules, and was revised by Regulation (EU) 2024/2865.
What changed with the 2024 CLP revision?
It entered into force on 10 December 2024. Online offers and advertisements must show hazard information, labels may be fold-out or digital, legibility improves, and selling household chemicals through refill stations has rules.
Do I need to notify poison centres?
Yes, for mixtures classified as hazardous for health or physical effects. Importers and downstream users give their composition to the appointed bodies, in the harmonised Annex VIII format, with a UFI on the label.
What is a UFI?
A unique formula identifier: a 16-character code on the label of a hazardous mixture that links it to the information submitted to poison centres.
Does a disinfectant need authorisation in the EU?
Yes. Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 requires biocidal products to be authorised by a competent authority before they are placed on the market.
Do detergent capsules have special rules?
Yes. Liquid laundry detergent in soluble single-use capsules needs a bittering agent in the film, a minimum resistance, packaging that is less attractive and harder for children to open, and a statement to keep it out of reach of children.
Which language must a cleaning product label be in?
Under CLP, the official language(s) of the member state where it is placed on the market, unless that member state provides otherwise. Member states may also require detergent content and dosage in their national languages.
How does Compliant Always help with selling in the EU?
Our team reads the rules for the markets you sell in. Compliant Always shows which apply to your product, keeps the documents behind each one ready, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in the EU and what your paperwork needs to show.

Get in touch

No card, no account, and no call to book. Tell us what you make and where you sell it, and we will come back to you.

Get in touch