Digital product passport for detergents: from 23 Sept 2029

As of 11 November 2026 · sourced from primary law · not legal advice · Auf Deutsch lesen

This English version was prepared with AI from the German page. No native speaker or lawyer has read it. Found a mistake? Write to office@proofpass.eu.

Legal basis: the new Detergents Regulation

Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents and surfactants was published in the Official Journal on 2 March 2026. It applies from 23 September 2029, except Article 4(3) and (4) on biodegradability (Art. 37). On the same day it repeals Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 (Art. 35). The passport covers detergents and end-user surfactants.

So detergents do not get their passport through the ESPR. The ESPR working plan COM(2025) 187 left detergents, paints and lubricants out. Technically, though, the Detergents Regulation refers to the ESPR: identifiers and registry are the same. The basics are in the guide Digital product passport: deadlines and product groups.

Timeline with status

Step	Date	Status	Provision
Publication in the Official Journal	2 March 2026	binding	OJ L 2026/405
Entry into force (twentieth day after publication)	22 March 2026	binding	Art. 37
Implementing act on data carrier, layout, access	open, applies at least 18 months after entry into force	planned	Art. 21(10)
Passport duty, repeal of Regulation (EC) No 648/2004	23 September 2029	binding	Art. 35, Art. 37
Goods under the old rules placed on the market from 23 September 2029 to 22 September 2030 may be made available	until 23 September 2030	binding	Art. 36(2)

What the passport must contain

The passport corresponds to a specific model, is accurate, complete and up to date, is available in the language required by the Member State and remains available for ten years from placing on the market (Art. 21(2)). Part A of Annex VI requires:

trade name, unique product identifier and a colour image of the packaging or label
name, postal and electronic address and telephone number of the manufacturer and, where applicable, of the importer or authorised representative, with the manufacturer’s unique operator identifier
the digital product passport service provider hosting the back-up copy
the identification allowing traceability, and commodity codes where applicable
an indication that the passport is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer, and the statement of compliance
the full list of intentionally added substances under Article 18(3) CLP, including carry-over preservatives where they must be on the label
all intentionally added micro-organisms with genus, species and strain name or code

Professional cleaners and the safety data sheet

The substance list does not apply to industrial and institutional detergents or to surfactants where the equivalent information is in the safety data sheet under Article 31 REACH (Annex VI, Part A, last paragraph). If you supply professional cleaners, your safety data sheet then has to be in good order. The rules are in the guide When is a safety data sheet required?.

The data carrier is on the label or packaging, for bulk goods in the accompanying documents, for refills at the station. It carries the statement “Please scan for more comprehensive information on the product” or a similar one (Art. 21(4)). A digital label is possible alongside on a voluntary basis (Art. 18, Art. 19).

What you can do today

Keep a list per formulation of the intentionally added substances, as Article 18(3) CLP requires.
Have colour images of the label or packaging per model.
Check whether your professional products fall under the safety data sheet exception.
Plan space on the label for a data carrier with its statement.
Watch for the implementing act under Article 21(10). On 11 November 2026 we did not find it on EUR-Lex.

Frequently asked questions

Does the passport also apply to bulk cleaners for professional use?

Yes, it applies to all detergents. Only the substance list under Annex VI, Part A, point (h) is not required for industrial and institutional detergents where the safety data sheet contains the equivalent information.

Do I have to retrofit goods placed on the market before 23 September 2029?

No. They may continue to be made available indefinitely if they comply with Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 (Art. 36(1) Regulation (EU) 2026/405).

May I still place goods under the old rules on the market after 23 September 2029?

For one year, yes. Goods that comply with Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 and are placed on the market after 22 September 2029 but before 23 September 2030 may be made available until 23 September 2030 (Art. 36(2) Regulation (EU) 2026/405). After that, newly placed goods follow only the new Regulation with the passport.

Does the passport replace the label?

No. The passport comes on top. A digital label may carry part of the labelling under Articles 18 and 19; the physical label stays.

As of 11 November 2026. The legal text in force prevails. This page is not legal advice; sources are given above.

Digital product passport for detergents: from when, and with which data?