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The EU approves the new Detergents and Surfactants Regulation: what changes and how to prepare
- Daniel Jiménez
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
The Council of the European Union has given its final approval to the new Detergents and Surfactants Regulation , a regulatory update aimed at harmonizing marketing in the European market, improving consumer information and strengthening the protection of human health and the environment.
This new framework replaces and modernizes the regulations in force since 2004, incorporating elements aligned with technological innovation and current industry priorities: traceability, sustainability and reinforced control of imported products.
Table of contents
Why was this reform necessary?
Although detergents are essential products in domestic and industrial hygiene, they are still chemical mixtures with properties that can generate risks if they are not properly managed in terms of safety, labeling and use.
The European Commission had already pointed out that the previous framework overlapped with other chemical regulations (especially at the level of information and labelling), which generated duplication and complicated clear communication to consumers and health authorities.
Main features of the new Regulation on Detergents and Surfactants
1) Scope update: innovation and new formats
The new regulation incorporates market advancements, including detergents containing microorganisms , an increasingly relevant category in cleaning products due to its biotechnological approach.
Furthermore, the text also promotes more sustainable business practices such as refillable sales , which is especially relevant for brands seeking to reduce packaging and environmental footprint.
2) Clearer and modernized labeling (including digitization)
One of the stated objectives of the regulation is to simplify consumer information , clarify requirements, and facilitate compliance for businesses.
Along these lines, the following is introduced:
Digital labeling
Digital product passport for detergents and surfactants
These changes represent a major shift in compliance management: not only will what appears on the physical label be key, but also the consistency of the digital content associated with the product.
3) Greater control in security, environment and market surveillance
The regulation strengthens the requirements related to:
Product safety
Environmental impact
Transparency for authorities
Market surveillance , especially for imported products
This point is critical for brands that manufacture outside the EU (for example in Asia) and market in Europe, as document control and traceability gain regulatory weight.
4) More efficient access to information for poison control centers and health systems
The new framework also seeks to facilitate the availability of useful information for authorities, health systems and poison centers , improving the capacity to respond to incidents or accidental poisonings.
5) Prohibition of animal testing in detergent production
Among the most relevant aspects, the Council confirms that the regulation establishes that the use of animal testing in the production of detergents will be prohibited .
When does it come into effect and when will it apply?
Following this approval in the Council, the text still needs to be approved in a plenary session of the European Parliament.
Once definitively adopted, the new rules will apply three and a half years after the Regulation comes into force, which opens a realistic window for technical and documentary adaptation by the sector.
At Belab Services we help brands and manufacturers adapt their home care products, detergents and chemical mixtures to the European regulatory framework, with a technical, practical and market-oriented approach.
If you need support to assess the impact of this new regulation on your portfolio (including labeling, claims, documentation and compliance strategy), our team can help you.
Official source
Information based on the statement from the Council of the European Union on the approval of the Detergents and Surfactants Regulation (8 December 2025).
