New EU Regulation on Detergents and Surfactants Published
05.03.2026
On 2 March 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents and surfactants was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
With the publication of this Regulation, Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 has been repealed.
The Regulation will enter into force on 22 March 2026. A transitional period has also been granted to allow the industry sufficient time to adapt to these changes. Accordingly, most provisions will become mandatory starting 23 September 2029.
Overview of the Regulation
The new Regulation introduces several key changes. These can be grouped under the following headings:
- Detergents containing micro-organisms
- Digital product passport (DPP)
- Digital labelling
- Refill sales
- Prohibition of animal testing
- Extended biodegradability criteria
- Online sales and customs controls
- Ingredient data sheets
As Chemleg, we recommend that companies begin assessing the impacts of the Regulation as soon as possible and make effective use of the transitional period.
You may contact us to benefit from the support of our experts during this process.