Posted on December, 14 2011

Brussels/Strasbourg – The European Parliament agreed today to eliminate high-content phosphate detergents from the European market.  The new restrictions will apply on 30 June 2013 for laundry and on 1st January 2017 for automatic dishwasher detergents. WWF welcomes this decision but is critical of the excessive deadlines given to companies to prepare. Phosphates boost not only the cleaning performance of detergents but also contribute to algae growth in our waters, consuming large portions of oxygen and causing severe stress to living water organisms like fish, plants and other aquatic life.

Sergey Moroz, Senior Water Policy Officer at WWF European Policy Office said:

“Today’s vote is paving the way for the most cost-effective solution to reduce the algal blooms in our rivers, lakes and seas. Unfortunately by setting excessive deadlines the regulation lacks the sense of urgency needed to finally bring life back to the Danube and the dead areas of the Baltic or the Black Seas. Once applied EU-wide restrictions on phosphates in detergents will create a level-playing field for progressive industries that invest in innovation and save millions of euro in reduced waste water treatment”.


For further information:

• Stefania Campogianni, Media and Communication Officer, WWF European Policy Office, Tel. +32 (0)2 743 88 15, Mob: (0) 499 539736, Email: scampogianni@wwf.eu
• Sergey Moroz, Freshwater Policy Officer, WWF European Policy Office, Tel  +32 (0)2 740 09 23, email: smoroz@wwf.eu