Council Directive 73/404/EEC of 22 November 1973 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to detergents

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE  of 22 November 1973  on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to detergents  (73/404/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament (1);
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2);
Whereas the laws in force in the Member States for ensuring the biodegradability of surfactants differ from one Member State to another, which results in a hindrance to trade;
Whereas the increasing use of detergents is one of the causes of pollution of the natural environment in general and the pollution of waters in particular;
Whereas one of the pollutant effects of detergents on waters, namely the formation of foam in large quantities restricts contact between water and air, renders oxygenation difficult, causes inconvenience to navigation, impairs the photosynthesis necessary to the life of aquatic flora, exercises an unfavourable influence on the various stages of processes for the purification of waste waters, causes damage to waste water purification plants and constitutes an indirect microbiological risk due to the possible tranference of bacteria and viruses;
Whereas it is desirable to maintain an average level of biodegradability of detergents of 90 % and whereas technology and industrial practicalities make this possible, and whereas it is desirable nevertheless to safeguard against uncertainties of test methods which could lead to rejection decisions having important economic consequences,