About us
Our history
In 70 years Detergents Europe has grown from a handful of associations collaborating to secure the availability of materials post-war, into a pan-European organisation representing over 900 companies across over 30 markets.
The history of Detergents Europe mirrors the history of the European Union itself: the vision of a few brave individuals determined to build a better future based on cooperation between nations, people and industries.
Just as the EU has its founding fathers, so Detergents Europe acknowledges the role of key individuals whose vision for international collaboration led to the establishment of this dynamic trade association that we are proud to lead today.
70th Anniversary brochure
Benelux Economic Union established
European Coal & Steel Community (ECSC) founded
International Association of Soaps and Detergents (AIS) founded
European Economic Community (EEC) founded
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) established
Industry programme to promote hygiene with soaps and detergents in schools
Harmonisation of tax duties for soap raw materials
Progressive voluntary introduction of biodegradable surfactants for laundry products
International Association of Maintenance Products (F.I.F.E) founded
Industry guidelines for testing textile washing products
AIS moves closer to the EEC institutions in Brussels
AIS granted consultative status within the U.N.
First of three (1992 & 1995) industry workshops by AIS and CESIO establish the principles for environmental risk assessment of detergent chemicals.
Creation of joint A.I.S.E./CESIO research platform on risk assessment of surfactants in detergents ERASM www.erasm.org
Creation of the Single European Market with free movement of service, goods and people.
Creation of industry application pictograms for industrial and institutional products
Merger of AIS and F.I.F.E. creating A.I.S.E.
Launch of A.I.S.E.’s voluntary code of good environmental practice for household laundry detergents and Washright campaign
Creation of an SME ‘club’ within A.I.S.E. to focus on the specific needs of small and medium sized manufactures that operate 85% of Europe’s manufacturing facilities
Launch of HERA platform for human and environmental risk assessment on ingredients of household cleaning products www.heraproject.com
Completion of the GREAT-ER project foreseeing the concentrations of chemicals in different rivers
Creation of DUCC coordination group for downstream users of chemicals www.ducc.eu
Launch of international cooperation via INCPA
Launch of the A.I.S.E.’s Charter for Sustainable Cleaning www.sustainable-cleaning.com
Introduction of A.I.S.E.’s safe use icons for household products
Launch of EPAA, European partnership between EU and industry for alternatives to animal testing
A.I.S.E. launched its first compaction project to lower environmental impact of laundry detergents leading to huge environmental savings over the years that follow
A.I.S.E. launches first product stewardship programme for indoor air quality
A.I.S.E. becomes official ECHA stakeholder
A.I.S.E. and Cefic launch Cleanright consumer portal for safe and sustainable cleaning at home www.cleanright.eu
A.I.S.E. launches first product stewardship programme for liquid detergent capsules to prevent accidental exposures
A.I.S.E. launches DetNet tool or manufacturers to secure classification and labelling according to CLP www.det-net.eu
A.I.S.E. launches I Prefer 30° campaign to engage consumers to wash at lower temperatures www.iprefer30.eu
A.I.S.E. launches a pan-European safety campaign to promote the safe use and storage of liquid laundry detergent capsules www.keepcapsfromkids.eu
Hazard symbols on household cleaning products are replaced with modern icons and precautionary statements
A.I.S.E. research confirms consumers prefer simpler products labels with less text and more visuals
A.I.S.E. publishes corporate social responsibility guidance
A.I.S.E. vision and strategy revised to ensure the association is agile, proactive and solution oriented
The industry’s ‘keep away from children’ icon is included in the revised UN classification and labelling system
A.I.S.E. sets strict targets for a circular economy for plastics with its voluntary plastics packaging initiative
20 years of industry compaction show significant environmental savings: laundry dosage reduced by 50%; 30 million tonnes of detergent saved; 45% less tonnage of detergent
The industry responds rapidly to the COVID-19 pandemic ensuring availability of hygiene and disinfection products for personal and professional use.
The consumer multi-lingual portal Cleanright is relaunched in 23 languages www.cleanright.eu
A.I.S.E.’s joins the EU High-Level Round Table on the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS)
A.I.S.E. calls for action to increase the recycling of bottles and sleeves by introducing a removable sleeve icon
A.I.S.E. contributes to the revision of EU legislation vital for our industry, the Detergent Regulation, CLP and REACH
Today more than 13 billion consumer products are sold with the Charter product logo, indicating that the product meets advanced sustainability criteria
The Charter for Sustainable Cleaning counts 183 member companies and 189 manufacturing sites. Since 2005, there is a 39% reduction in CO2 emissions and 39% reduction in packaging (p/t) www.sustainable-cleaning.com
Who we are
Meet today's Detergents Europe — the network, the membership and our role at EU level.
Why join Detergents Europe?
Become part of the voice of the European cleaning and hygiene industry.