Brussels, 20 June 2024 

The European Council’s vote on a revised Detergents regulation represents a major step forward in ensuring a modern and fit for purpose framework for Europe’s cleaning sector. EuropaBio welcomes the Council’s request for a proposal to develop a future risk assessment methodology for microorganisms used in detergent products.

Anne-Gaëlle Collot, Director of Industrial Biotechnology at EuropaBio, says “The Council’s General Approach recognises the important contributions of biotechnology and innovative microbial products to the detergents sector. EuropaBio is committed to pursuing its work with the Council, Commission and Parliament as trilogue discussions begin, to ensure that Europeans can benefit from safe and sustainable products that make best use of biotechnology innovation.”

Biotechnology innovations such as enzymes, biosurfactants, and microbial cleaning products can provide safe and bio-based alternatives to fossil-based ingredients. For instance, the use of enzymes in detergents maintains detergent efficiency, improving performance at lower temperatures and supporting reduction of electricity and water use by 30%.