Detergents: What You Need to Know

Safe and Compliant Market Access for Your Products in the EU and the UK

Bringing a detergent to market in the European Union or the United Kingdom requires careful attention to regulatory compliance. From ingredient safety to labeling and documentation, multiple regulations must be met before your product can legally be sold.

If your company manufactures, imports, or distributes detergents in Europe, you are required to comply with both chemical safety obligations and consumer protection standards, and that’s where Biorius can help.

Key Requirements for Detergent Compliance

Before being placed on the market in the European Union or the United Kingdom, detergents must meet a number of regulatory requirements. The two main regulations that apply are:

In addition, detergents are subject to the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, which governs the registration and use of chemical substances, similar to the obligations placed on cosmetic products.

Beyond Legal Compliance: Industry Standards and Best Practices

Responsible detergent manufacturers are also expected to follow good industry practices, including:

How Biorius Supports You

Formula & Ingredient Compliance

Documentation & Safety Evaluation

Claims & Label Review

Specific Regulatory Requirements (If Applicable)

Step 1: Formula & Ingredient Compliance

Formula Review

We assess your detergent’s formulation based on its type (e.g. dishwashing, surface cleaners, laundry care) to identify relevant regulatory obligations. The formula is compared to regulated lists as REACH inventories and annexes.

Biodegradability Assessment

We evaluate biodegradability and support testing, a core requirement under the Detergent Regulation.

Ingredient Review and INCI List Preparation

We analyze your formula and generate a compliant ingredient list for your label.

Step 2: Documentation & Safety Evaluation

Product Classification and SDS Creation
We classify your product and prepare a compliant Safety Data Sheet (SDS) according to CLP requirements.

Toxicological Risk Assessment
Our toxicologists evaluate safety and provide appropriate precautionary statements, following A.I.S.E. guidance.

Regulatory Dossier and Product Review
We ensure your documentation is complete and aligned with EU or UK regulatory expectations before launch.

Step 3: Claims & Label Review

We check that your packaging includes all required consumer information in line with relevant regulations. In addition, we verify that your product’s marketing claims comply with applicable legislation and industry best practices.

Step 4: Specific Regulatory Requirements (If Applicable)

Poison Centre Notification (PCN)
We manage your notification submissions to EU poison centres when required.

What is a Poison Centre Notification (PCN)?

A Poison Centre Notification is a mandatory submission to the EU’s centralized database, designed to inform national poison centres about the chemical composition and hazards of certain products placed on the EU market.

These notifications enable poison centres to provide rapid, accurate medical advice in case of accidental exposure, especially with children or vulnerable users.

EU Detergent Regulation (EC) No 648/2004: What You Need to Know

The Detergent Regulation regulates all detergent and cleaning products, including:

Its primary goal is to ensure that: