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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Detergents Regulation Post EU Exit

    Topics:
    • Actions to Protect our Environment, 
    • EU Exit, 
    • Water, 
    • Chemicals and industrial pollution policy issues, 
    • Environment and EU Exit, 
    • Water and EU Exit, 
    • Water legislation and guidance

    Information regarding Detergents Regulation after 1 January 2021.

    Who is the Competent Authority?

    The Competent Authority in the UK was the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in England up to 31 December 2020. DAERA takes over the Competent Authority role for NI from 1 January 2021.

    Who do the Detergents Regulations apply to?

    Anyone importing or manufacturing detergents in NI will need to comply with the relevant regulation - Regulation (EC) No 648/2004.

    Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 relating to Detergents applies throughout the European Union. The regulation is included in Annex 2 of the Northern Ireland Protocol as EU law that will continue to apply to NI after the end of the transition period.

    Guidance on the implementation of the EU Detergents Regulation can be viewed at Detergents (hse.gov.uk) and Detergents Guidance (hse.gov.uk)

    What are the main provisions of Regulation 648/2004?

    Regulation 648/2004:

    • Provides for free movement and protection of the environment;
    • Defines the meaning of detergents and manufactures’ duties;
    • Sets the biodegradability testing requirements for detergents;
    • Requires contents information to be provided on detergent labels;
    • Requires manufacturers to produce data sheets to provide medical professionals and users with relevant information;
    • Sets limits for the amount of phosphates in detergents

    Who is the enforcement authority for NI?

    Enforcement of the regulations is undertaken by the local councils as before. In the case of significant water pollution incidents involving detergents NIEA is also a relevant enforcing authority.

    • district councils
    • NI Environment Agency (NIEA),

    Further information on Detergents

    If you would like any further information please contact the EPD & RNRPD Policy Correspondence team at epdrnrpd.correspondence@daera-ni.gov.uk in DAERA.

    Related content

    • Changes to Mercury Regulations in Northern Ireland
    • Chemicals & Water
    • EU Exit Q&As - Agricultural Regulation
    • EU Exit Q&As - Drinking Water
    • EU Exit Q&As - Water regulation
    • Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases
    • Groundwater
    • Guidance for Councils for Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)
    • Hydromorphology/surface water alterations
    • Mercury Regulation
    • Oil storage
    • Opportunity mapping for woodland creation to reduce flood risk
    • Persistent Organic Pollutants
    • Priority Substances
    • Radioactive Transport, Transfrontier Shipments and Justification
    • Shellfish Water Protected Areas
    • The Industrial Emissions Directive and the Pollution Prevention and Control (Industrial Emissions) Regulations
    • The REACH Regulation
    • Water Framework Directive
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