The rules on labelling of chemical mixtures, including detergents, are defined by the CLP 1278/2008 regulation. The product is classified based on risks to the health and the environment.
Products that are toxic, irritant, corrosive and hazardous to the environment are indicated by the following danger symbols:
In addition, the EC 2004/648 regulation sets specific rules for the labelling of detergents.
Dosage
It is important to comply with the usage and dosing instructions in order to protect your health and environment. The dosage must be indicated in case of washing agents based on the degree of soiling of the laundry, the hardness of the waterand must be appropriate to the weight of the laundry load (kg of laundry contained in your machine).
Labelling of the content
For detergents sold to the general public, the labels must mention:
• the enzymes, disinfectants, preservatives, optical brighteners and fragrances, if added, irrespective of their concentration;
• the surfactants and other substances that give the detergent its cleaning properties (see list of cleaning agents in the FAQ), if they are added in a concentration> 0.2% of the weight.
They are classified according to their concentration in the following ranges:
o less than 5%,
o 5% or more, but less than 15%,
o 15% or more, but less than 30%;
• 27 contact allergens (see the list of these allergens in the FAQ) if their concentration is > than 0.01%.
FAQ Labelling of the cleaning products.
How to know about the hardness of your water (°F) ?
This information is usually available on the website of the company that distributes the water in your area (locate its contact information on your bill).
There are 3 major hardness classes:
* soft water: 0 to 15°F
* medium-hard water: 15 to 30°F
* Hard water: + 330°F
Some useful links:
- Hardness of your water for the municipalities of Brussels: www.vivaqua.be
- Search your water distributor in the Wallonia Region: www.aquawal.be
- Water hardness in your municipality, in Walloon Brabant: www.iecbw.be
- Water hardness in your municipality, distributed by the Vlaamse Maatschappij voor Watervoorziening : dewatergroep.be
For more information on the hardness of the water and its consequences: ecoconso.be.
The cleaning agents
- phosphates,
- phosphonates,
- anionic surfactants,
- cationic surfactants,
- amphoteric surfactants,
- non-ionic surfactants,
- oxygen-based bleaching agents,
- chlorinated bleaching agents,
- EDTA and salts,
- NTA (Nitrilotriacetic acid) and salts,
- phenols and halogenated phenols,
- paradichlorobenzene,
- aromatic hydrocarbons,
- aliphatic hydrocarbons,
- halogenated hydrocarbons,
- soap,
- zeolites,
- polycarboxylates.
The 27 contact allergens
- AMYL CINNAMAL
- ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE
- AMYLCINNAMYL ALCOHOL
- ANISE ALCOHOL
- BENZYL ALCOHOL
- BENZYL BENZOATE
- BENZYL CINNAMATE
- BENZYL SALICYLATE
- BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL
- CINNAMAL
- CINNAMYL ALCOHOL
- CITRAL
- CITRONELLOL
- COUMARIN
- EUGENOL
- EVERNIA FURFURACEA
- EXTRACT
- EVERNIA PRUNASTRI EXTRACT
- FARNESOL
- GERANIOL
- HEXYL CINNAMAL
- HYDROXYCITRONELLAL
- HYDROXYISOHEXYL
- 3-CYCLOHEXENE
- CARBOXALDEHYDE
- ISOEUGENOL
- LIMONENE
- LINALOOL
- METHYL 2-OCTYNOATE
ISOTHIAZOLINONE FAMILY
- BENZISOTHIAZOLINONE
- METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE
- METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE
- OCTYLISOTHIAZOLINONE