G/TBT/N/EU/1028  
7 November 2023  
(23-7519) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  EUROPEAN UNION  
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:   
European Commission  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
European Comm ission,  
EU-TBT Enquiry Point,  
Fax: +(32) 2 299 80 43,  
E-mail: grow-eu-tbt@ec.europa.eu  
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools -databases/tbt/en/  
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [  ], 5.6.2 [X], 5.7.1 [  ], 3.2 [  ], 7.2 [  ], 
other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addit ion, where applicable):  
Detergents are products that are intended for the cleaning of fabrics, dishes or surfaces. 
Detergents may contain intentionally added micro -organisms. Products intended for 
soaking (pre -washing), rinsing or bleaching fabrics or dish es and products intended to 
modify the feel of fabrics in processes which are to complement the washing of fabrics 
also fall within the definition of detergent under the notified document.  
Surfactants are organic substances or mixtures used in detergents,  which have surface -
active properties.  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Proposal for a 
Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on detergents and surfactants, 
amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repeal ing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 
(COM(2023) 217 final); (47 page(s), in English), (27 page(s), in English)  
6. Description of content:  The proposed Regulation replaces Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 
and amends Regulation (EU) 2019/1020. Compared to Regulation (EC) No 648/2004, the 
proposed Regulation introduces safety requirements for micro -organisms in detergents 
and digital labelling. It also requires that a product passport including a compliance 
information is created for detergents and surfactan ts. Finally, the proposed Regulation 
simplifies and updates the rules for detergents by abolishing certain redundant 
requirements and by taking into account new market and regulatory developments.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  This proposal has the following aims:  G/TBT/N/EU/1028  
 
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  1. To simplify and update the 2004 rules on detergents and surfactants;  
2. To strengthen enforcement so that more compliant detergents and surfactants 
are placed on the Union market;  
3. To prov ide a high level of protection of health and the environment; and  
4. To facilitate the free movement of detergents and surfactants in the Union market  
<; Protection of human health or safety; Protection of the environment  
8. Relevant documents:   
Regulation (EC) No 648/2004  of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 
2004 on detergents.  
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2004/648/2015 -06-01 
9. Proposed date of adoption:  The proposal has to be adopted by the European Parliament 
and the Council following the ordinary legislative procedure. This proposal is not likely to 
be adopted before 2025.  
Proposed date of entry into force:  It will enter i nto force in 2025 – 2026.  
10. Final date for comments:  90 days from notification  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
European Commission,  
EU-TBT Enquiry Point,  
Fax: + (32) 2 299 80 43,  
E-mail: grow-eu-tbt@ec.europa.eu  
The text is available on the EU -TBT Website : http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools -
databases/tbt/en/  
https://members.wto.org/crnattac hments/2023/TBT/EEC/23_13364_00_e.pdf  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/TBT/EEC/23_13364_01_e.pdf