Policy Priorities / Detergents Regulation
Secondary legislation
How the framework works today
Following the revision of the Detergents Regulation, a significant part of the regulatory framework is now being developed through secondary legislation, including implementing and delegated acts.
These measures are essential to:
- clarify how the Regulation should be applied in practice,
- define technical requirements, and
- ensure consistent implementation across Member States
Key areas covered by secondary legislation include:
- biodegradability requirements,
- phosphorus content,
- digital product information, and
- technical provisions related to microorganisms and ingredients
What is changing: development of implementing measures
The European Commission is currently developing a series of implementing acts and technical measures to operationalise the Regulation.
This process includes:
- public consultations and expert input,
- technical discussions with stakeholders, and
- coordination with other EU initiatives, including sustainability and digitalisation frameworks.
Industry perspective and Detergents Europe’s work
For the cleaning and hygiene products industry, secondary legislation is critical in determining whether the Regulation can be effectively implemented in practice.
Detergents Europe plays an active role in shaping these measures by:
- providing detailed technical input and scientific expertise,
- engaging directly with the European Commission on key implementation questions, and
- contributing to discussions to ensure alignment with related frameworks, including ecolabelling and packaging legislation.
This work builds on Detergents Europe's strong involvement during the revision phase and aims to ensure that implementing measures reflect real‑world product and manufacturing conditions.
From an industry perspective, the development of secondary legislation should:
- remain science-based,
- ensure legal clarity and predictability, and
- avoid unnecessary administrative burden, particularly for SMEs.
