New Detergents Regulation (EU) 2026/405: biodegradability tests and tests of detergents with microorganisms only in GLP or accredited laboratories, applying from 23 September 2029
Regulation (EU) 2026/405 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2026, published on 2 March 2026, replaces Detergents Regulation (EC) No 648/2004. It applies from 23 September 2029 (except for the biodegradability deadlines for films and other organic ingredients) and introduces a digital product passport, requirements for detergents containing microorganisms and a ban on detergents tested on animals to meet the requirements of the regulation.
- Surfactants must be ultimately aerobically biodegradable: at least 60% within 28 days in tests C.4-C (CO₂ evolution), C.4-D (manometric respirometry), C.4-E (closed bottle) or C.4-F (MITI), or at least 70% in tests C.4-A (DOC Die-Away) or C.4-B (modified OECD screening test) under Regulation (EC) No 440/2008 — without pre-adaptation and without the 10-day window rule.
- Films and polymers in films must meet biodegradability requirements by 23 March 2032, and other intentionally added organic substances at 10% by weight or more (excluding water) by 23 March 2034. Biodegradability tests are performed by laboratories complying with good laboratory practice (Directive 2004/10/EC) or accredited under Regulation (EC) No 765/2008.
- Microorganisms intentionally added to detergents must be deposited in an IDA collection, identified by whole genome sequencing, not genetically modified and susceptible to five major antibiotic classes (EUCAST disc diffusion or equivalent); the product must not contain, among others, E. coli, enterococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Candida albicans. Colony count: at least 1×10⁵ CFU per ml or g when placed on the market and 1×10⁴ CFU at the end of shelf life (at least 18 months). These tests too are performed by GLP or accredited laboratories.
- Total phosphorus: below 0.5 g in the recommended dose of consumer laundry detergent and below 0.3 g in the standard dose of automatic dishwasher detergent. Under Article 36, products compliant with Regulation 648/2004 placed on the market before 23 September 2029 may be made available without time limit, and those placed on the market until 22 September 2030 until 23 September 2030; UL describes it the same way.