From 23 September 2029, the Detergents Regulation (EU) 2026/405 requires a Digital Product Passport for each model of detergent or end-user surfactant. It carries the trade name and a colour image, the manufacturer’s details, a compliance statement and a full list of intentionally added substances and micro-organisms. Its data carrier goes on the label, the packaging or the refill station.
The mandatory data
The manufacturer’s passport must hold the data in Article 21 and Part A of Annex VI:
- the trade name, the unique product identifier and a colour image of the packaging or label
- the manufacturer’s name, postal and email address and telephone number, with the importer or authorised representative where there is one, and the manufacturer’s unique operator identifier
- the service provider holding the back-up copy, and identification allowing traceability
- a statement that the passport is issued under the manufacturer’s sole responsibility
- the commodity codes, where applicable
- a statement that compliance with the Regulation has been demonstrated, with references to other Union law where relevant
- a full list of intentionally added substances, identified as under Article 18(3) of the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, plus carry-over preservatives that must be labelled
- every intentionally added micro-organism, by genus, species and strain name or code
Industrial and institutional detergents, and surfactants, skip the substance list where a safety data sheet already gives the same information. The passport has no field for the safety data sheet itself. Label information and dosage instructions may be added as optional Part B content.
Where the data carrier goes
The carrier goes on the label or packaging, or on the accompanying documents for bulk deliveries, under Article 21(4). It must be indelible, readable by digital devices and visible before purchase, including in online sales. For refill sales it sits on the refill station. A line such as “Please scan for more comprehensive information on the product” accompanies it. Carrier type, layout and access rights wait for an implementing act under Article 21(10). It cannot apply earlier than 18 months after it enters into force, and no draft existed on 15 October 2026.
The same carrier can also lead to a digital label under Articles 18 and 19, which is a requirement separate from the passport.
Can older stock still be sold after 23 September 2029?
Example, under the Article 36 transition: a detergent placed on the market on 1 September 2029 under the old Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 may stay on sale indefinitely. One placed on 1 October 2029 that meets only the old rules may be sold until 23 September 2030.
Manufacturers outside the EU
A manufacturer established outside the Union must appoint an authorised representative under Article 9, and that representative verifies that the passport exists and is in the EU registry. Customs checks start on the later of 23 September 2029 and the date the registry links to the customs single window.
Sources: Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents and surfactants, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1778
GreenSutra’s passport work begins with the formulation records and the label. The DPP guide sets the detergent dates beside the toy, battery and construction rules.