For our Environment A.I.S.E. Cleaning & Hygiene Forum Digitalisation and detergents labeling- A competent authority perspective Dr. Claudia Thierbach, Section IV 2.2 -Pharmaceuticals, Washing and Cleansing Agents, German Environment Agency
Digitalisation and detergents labeling A competent authority perspective Assumptions I. People care about the environment. II. Informed citizens buy green products. III. Informed citizens buy safe products. However: I. Many consumers are uninformed about the environmental and safety risks of detergents. II. Some people blindly buy chemical products. We are here to discuss why. 05.12.2018 / A.I.S.E. Cleaning& Hygiene Forum 2
Digitalisation and the detergents labeling A competent authority perspective Detergents Regulation Objective: To achieve the free movement of detergents and surfactants for detergents in the internal market while, at the same time, ensuring a high degree of protection of the environment and human health. Source: wikipedia Labeling is just one part of this objective. The development and purchasing of biodegradable and non-toxic detergents is essential. Information on the label has to enable citizens to make informed purchasing decisions. 05.12.2018 / A.I.S.E. Cleaning & Hygiene Forum 3
Digitalisation and detergents labeling A competent authority perspective The mission I. To enable citizens to make informed decisions What institutions play a role in this? II. To develop green and safe products Who is reponsable for this? III. To create informative labels Proposals? 05.12.2018 / A.I.S.E. Cleaning & Hygiene Forum 4
Digitalisation and detergents labeling A competent authority perspective Proposal: QR-Codes partly replace the label How can the detergent industry guarantee that every consumer has a device that can scan a QR code? How can they guarantee a network connection in every supermarket? How can the industry guarantee that the information will be readily available on the label? 05.12.2018 / A.I.S.E. Cleaning & Hygiene Forum 5
Digitalisation and detergents labeling A competent authority perspective Labeling and ingredient datasheet- Evaluation The given information is in violation of the legal requirements! Labeling missing for allergens (40 %) and preservatives in mixtures (30 %) Link to the ingredients datasheet (30 %) Contact data for medical personnel (23 %) Information for the public and medical personnel Link lacking to the Pharmacos Website or similar Websites (56 %) Ingredients Datasheet not available (46 %) Medical datasheet not available (14 %) Medical datasheet not according to the requirements (26 %) Source: EuroDeter final Report 2014; www.cleen-europe.eu/projects/eurodeter.html 05.12.2018 / A.I.S.E. Cleaning & Hygiene Forum 6
Digitalisation and detergents labeling A competent authority perspective First Proposal: informative label Full ingredients list comparable to the cosmetics regulation INCI declaration replaces generic names 05.12.2018 / A.I.S.E. Cleaning & Hygiene Forum 7
Digitalisation and detergents labeling A competent authority perspective First Proposal: informative label Dosage information 05.12.2018 / A.I.S.E. Cleaning & Hygiene Forum 8
Digitalisation and detergents labeling A competent authority perspective Second Proposal:Proposal: help consumers to make a safer choice informative advertisements, enhancing consumer knowledge No! I will not buy this product, because o I m allergic to it o I don t want to use a product containing because it has been reported as being potentially harmful o I don t want to use a product, where I have to wear rubber gloves o I don t want to inhale toxic fumes o I NEVER want my child to mistakenly eat a detergent pod 05.12.2018 / A.I.S.E. Cleaning & Hygiene Forum 9
Digitalisation and detergents labeling A competent authority perspective Third Proposal: Development of green and safe products Products which can mistakenly be ingested. Products which are not attractive for children. Products which make correct dosing nearly impossible. Products with clear dosing information and different dosing possibilities. Ingredients which accumulate in the environment (Water soluble pouches contain persistent Polyvinylalcohol). Development of non-persistent ingredients. 05.12.2018 / A.I.S.E. Cleaning & Hygiene Forum 10
Digitalisation and detergents labeling A competent authority perspective Ready for take off? High degree of protection for the environment and human health 05.12.2018 / A.I.S.E. Cleaning & Hygiene Forum 11
Thankyou! Thanks to Annemarie Bäthge, Marcus Gast, Sabine Sur, and Dr. Peter von der Ohe Dr. Claudia Thierbach claudia.thierbach@uba.de 05.12.2018 / A.I.S.E. Cleaning& Hygiene Forum 12