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Selling cleaning products and detergents in the UK

In Great Britain, a cleaning product is a chemical mixture: it is classified, labelled and packaged under GB CLP, overseen by the Health and Safety Executive. Detergents also follow the assimilated Detergents Regulation on biodegradability and ingredient labelling, and disinfectants are biocidal products. Northern Ireland applies the EU CLP, REACH and detergents rules.

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

Hazard labelling
GB CLP, with HSE as the GB CLP Agency
Detergents
Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 648/2004
Chemicals
UK REACH in GB; EU REACH in NI
Poison centre
Voluntary SDS to NPIS in GB; Annex VIII submission in NI
Disinfectants
Biocidal products, authorised under GB BPR
Who enforces detergents in GB
Local authorities; port health authorities for imports in England

Before a product goes on sale

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

  1. 1Is the mixture classified as hazardous under GB CLP? Read more
  2. 2Does the label carry the GB CLP pictograms, signal word and statements? Read more
  3. 3Does the packaging need a child resistant closure or tactile warning? Read more
  4. 4Does the detergent label list the ingredient ranges, perfumes, preservatives and allergens? Read more
  5. 5Are the substances registered or covered under UK REACH? Read more
  6. 6Does the product claim to kill germs, making it a biocidal product? Read more

The rules, by area

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

Classification, labelling and packaging (GB CLP)

The hazard classification and label of a chemical mixture, and the packaging it goes in.

  • The EU CLP Regulation, as amended, is assimilated into GB law. The main duties to classify, label and package remain, and HSE is the GB CLP Agency.
  • GB CLP applies to GB-based manufacturers, importers, downstream users and distributors supplying the GB market. Classifications must follow the GB mandatory classification and labelling list where relevant.
  • Since 1 June 2015, mixtures have had to be classified, labelled and packaged under CLP. HSE notes that more cleaning products are classified as hazardous than under the previous system.
  • A product classified as causing serious eye damage carries H318 and the corrosive pictogram; one causing eye irritation carries H319 and the exclamation mark pictogram.
  • Packaging must prevent escape, not be affected by the contents and withstand normal handling. Some products need child resistant closures or tactile warnings under Annex II, and some must not have a shape that attracts children.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the safety data sheet and label proof with each product, and sets the GB CLP label elements beside your artwork. Ask about this

Detergents labelling and biodegradability

The rules for detergents and the surfactants in them, kept as assimilated law in GB.

  • Packaging sold to consumers shows the name and trade name of the product, and the name, full address and telephone number of the party placing it on the market.
  • It shows the contact details from which the ingredient datasheet can be obtained, instructions for use and special precautions where needed.
  • Content is labelled in weight bands (less than 5%, 5 to 15%, 15 to 30%, 30% and more) for listed constituents above 0.2%, such as phosphates, surfactants, bleaching agents and zeolites.
  • Enzymes, disinfectants, optical brighteners and perfumes are listed whatever their amount; preservation agents are listed by name, and listed allergenic fragrances above 0.01%.
  • The packaging gives the website where the full ingredient list can be found. Contents and use information are in English.
  • Surfactants that meet the ultimate aerobic biodegradation criteria may be placed on the market without further limits; a derogation can only be sought for industrial or institutional detergents.
  • Manufacturers hold biodegradability test results for the competent authority, and give medical personnel an ingredient datasheet on request, free of charge.

How we help: Compliant Always reads your formula and label against the detergent labelling bands and lists, and keeps the biodegradability results with the product. Ask about this

UK REACH

Registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of the chemicals in a product.

  • UK REACH applies to most chemical substances manufactured in or imported into GB, on their own, in mixtures or in articles.
  • Some aspects only apply at one tonne a year or more, and it applies whatever the size of the business.
  • GB businesses that were downstream users under EU REACH may now be importers under UK REACH.
  • UK REACH and EU REACH operate independently. EU REACH continues to apply in Northern Ireland.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps suppliers' REACH statements and safety data sheets with each product, and shows which are out of date. Ask about this

Poison centre information

Information on hazardous mixtures for emergency health response.

  • The Birmingham Unit of the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) accepts information on hazardous mixtures placed on the GB or NI markets.
  • In GB, importers and downstream users are encouraged to submit a safety data sheet voluntarily. There is no obligation to generate a unique formula identifier (UFI).
  • In NI, importers and downstream users submit Annex VIII information to NPIS as a poison centre notification, and include a UFI on the label.

How we help: Compliant Always records what was sent to NPIS and when, for each formula. Ask about this

Disinfectants and biocidal products

Products that control harmful organisms by chemical or biological action.

  • A biocide is a substance, mixture or microorganism intended to control a harmful organism in a way that is not purely physical or mechanical. Disinfectants and disinfecting wipes are examples.
  • In GB, biocidal products are controlled under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation; in NI, under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation.
  • A biocidal product must be authorised before it is made available on the market, and its active substances approved for that product type.

How we help: Compliant Always flags kill claims on your label so the biocides route can be checked, and keeps the authorisation with the product. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
Manufacturer or formulatorClassification, the hazard label, detergent test results and the ingredient datasheet.Formula, SDS and test results kept together for each product.
GB importerGB CLP and UK REACH duties for mixtures brought in from outside GB, including from the EU.Overseas suppliers' SDS and REACH statements read and dated before the goods arrive.
Party placing on the marketThe name, address and telephone number on detergent packaging.The label details checked against the record for each product.
DistributorIts own duties under GB CLP, which applies to distributors supplying the GB market.The documents each product needs, shown when a retailer asks.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Substances and mixtures placed on the NI market follow the EU CLP Regulation, EU REACH and the EU detergents rules. In NI, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is the competent authority for detergents.

The EU's new Detergents Regulation, (EU) 2026/405, will apply in NI under the Windsor Framework. Defra's explanatory memorandum says it applies 42 months after coming into force, in 2029.

Questions businesses ask

Which labelling rules apply to cleaning products in Great Britain?
GB CLP for the hazard label, and, for detergents, the assimilated Detergents Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 for ingredient and contact details.
Who regulates chemical labelling in Great Britain?
The Health and Safety Executive, which is the GB CLP Agency overseeing GB CLP for substances and mixtures placed on the GB market.
What must a detergent label show in the UK?
Product and trade name, the responsible party's name, address and phone number, where to get the ingredient datasheet, content in weight bands, listed ingredients such as perfumes and enzymes, and use instructions.
Do detergent labels need to list fragrance allergens?
Yes. Listed allergenic fragrances added above 0.01% by weight are named on the packaging of detergents sold to the general public.
Do cleaning products need child resistant closures?
Some do. The requirement is triggered by classification in certain hazard classes or by certain substances at set concentrations, listed in Annex II of GB CLP.
Do I need to notify the poison centre for a cleaning product in Great Britain?
In GB, submitting a safety data sheet to NPIS is voluntary. In Northern Ireland, importers and downstream users of hazardous mixtures must submit Annex VIII information with a UFI.
Does UK REACH apply to cleaning products?
UK REACH applies to most substances manufactured in or imported into GB, including substances in mixtures. Some aspects only apply at one tonne a year or more.
Is a disinfectant a cleaning product or a biocide?
A product intended to control harmful organisms by chemical or biological action is a biocidal product, which must be authorised under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation before it is made available.
Who enforces the detergents rules in Great Britain?
Local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland under the Detergents Regulations 2010. In England, port health authorities also enforce for imported products.
What changes for detergents in Northern Ireland?
The EU's new Detergents Regulation, (EU) 2026/405, will apply in NI under the Windsor Framework from 2029, replacing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 there.
How does Compliant Always help with selling in the UK?
Our team reads the rules for the markets you sell in, including the split between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Compliant Always shows which apply to your product and keeps the documents behind each one ready. 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 UK and what your paperwork needs to show.

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