By now, we already know that detergents are chemicals, even those we use daily in our households. They are regulated by chemical regulations and there are established procedures for their market release.
Below, I provide details on labeling detergents in accordance with the Detergent Regulation in force in the Republic of Srpska. Note that in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are still no specific regulations on detergents.
I will focus on detergents intended for general use. These are widely used products that everyone uses without prior training, and children and pets can also be exposed to them. These are all reasons why it is extremely important for these products to be properly labeled.
It is especially important that any potential hazards from detergents are clearly marked on the label and accompanied by safety handling measures. There are also rules for labeling the composition of detergents.
In general, for hazardous chemicals, only those chemicals from which the hazards arise are required to be listed on the label, and only specific hazard classes. With detergents, it's different. Even when they are not classified as hazardous, it is necessary to list all ingredients present in the detergent at concentrations greater than 0.2%.
Ingredients are listed by functional classes such as surfactants, phosphates, bleaching agents, fragrances, preservatives, etc. The concentrations of these ingredients are specified in prescribed concentration ranges:
- less than 5%,
- from 5% to 15%,
- from 15% to 30%,
- 30% and above.
Certain classes of ingredients must be listed on the label regardless of their concentration (e.g., enzymes, fragrances, preservatives).
Detergents often contain preservatives to maintain their integrity during the intended usage period. In such cases, it is necessary to list the class of the ingredient (preservative) along with its name.
It is important to note that the Regulation on the Safety of Consumer Goods (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska”, nos. 17/15, 13/17, and 39/23) also applies to detergents. This regulation specifies substances whose use is prohibited or restricted in consumer goods, including detergents. It also defines preservatives allowed in consumer goods and the conditions for their use (e.g., maximum concentration in the finished product).
When it comes to fragrances, special attention should be paid to those with allergenic properties. Such substances must be listed on the label when present in the product at concentrations greater than 0.01%. For these substances, the name must be listed alongside the class name.
The names of preservatives or fragrances with allergenic properties are listed according to the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI), if available.
Listing the composition on the detergent label does not end the manufacturer's obligations. The manufacturer is also required to prepare a Detergent Composition Data Sheet, which I will discuss in more detail another time.
If you have any questions about detergent labeling or label creation in general, feel free to contact me at nina.pajovic@bens-consulting.eu.
nina.pajovic@bens-consulting.eu
Back to posts
