EU Detergents Regulation
Revised detergents regulation with mandatory Digital Product Passport from September 2029. Full ingredient transparency, biodegradability data, and QR code on packaging.
Overview
The revised EU Detergents and Surfactants Regulation — Regulation (EU) 2026/405 — replaces Regulation (EC) 648/2004 and introduces a mandatory Digital Product Passport for detergents, requiring full ingredient transparency and environmental impact data.
Legal basis
- Provisional agreement: June 2025
- Adopted: Early 2026
- Replaces: Regulation (EC) 648/2004
- DPP mandatory: ~September 2029 (42 months after entry into force)
- Old regulation repealed: September 2029
DPP requirements for detergents
Mandatory from ~September 2029:
- Physical data carrier (QR code) on packaging
- Registration with central EU registry before market entry
- Unique product identifier linked to compliance data
DPP content:
- Full ingredient list
- Biodegradability data
- Environmental impact data
- Usage instructions
- End-of-life/disposal information
- Safety data sheet references
Ingredients labelling changes
The regulation introduces significant changes to ingredient disclosure beyond the current Regulation (EC) 648/2004:
- Full ingredient list required in the DPP — not just the summary categories currently required on physical packaging
- Synthetic polymer microparticles must be listed if intentionally added (aligned with the Microplastics Restriction, Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055)
- Micro-organisms must be listed with full taxonomic classification (genus, species, strain) where intentionally added
- Fragrance allergens must be disclosed at component level
- Physical packaging retains abbreviated labelling; the DPP QR code links consumers to the full ingredient list
Who is affected
- Manufacturers of detergents and surfactants placing products on the EU market, including household cleaners, laundry products, dishwashing products, industrial and institutional cleaners
- Importers of detergent products from outside the EU
- Distributors who rebrand or reformulate detergent products
- Contract manufacturers producing on behalf of brand owners
- Non-EU manufacturers selling directly to EU consumers through e-commerce must comply from 23 September 2029
Penalties and enforcement
The regulation does not prescribe EU-harmonised penalties. Member States establish enforcement. Non-compliance is likely to be treated under REACH-equivalent product safety enforcement, with potential consequences including:
- Market withdrawal of non-compliant products
- Administrative fines (amount set nationally)
- Prohibition on continued marketing of non-compliant formulations
Transition
Products already on the market under the old regulation (EC 648/2004) may continue to be sold. New products entering the market from 23 September 2029 must comply.
Key dates
| Date | Milestone | |------|-----------| | 22 March 2026 | Regulation enters into force | | 23 September 2029 | Full mandatory enforcement — DPP mandatory; old regulation repealed |
Source
Note: The EUR-Lex direct link for Regulation (EU) 2026/405 was pending final indexing as of March 2026. Use the EUR-Lex search at eur-lex.europa.eu with reference "EU 2026/405" to access the authoritative text. The REACH24H commercial source previously cited has been removed.