Biodegradability of surfactants

Labelling

If the requirement is verified with a label, check that there is a valid license for the product in question. This can be controlled here: Nordic Swan Ecolabel, Good Environmental Choice. 

EU Ecolabel's DID-list

If the requirement has been verified with the EU Ecolabel's DID-list ask the supplier to indicate what DID-number each surfactant has. Check that the surfactant is both aerobically and anaerobically biodegradable in the DID-list. In the column for aerobically degradability there should be and 'R' (=readily biodegradable) and in the column for anaerobically degradability there should be a 'Y' (=Yes it is anaerobically degradable).

Safety Data Sheet and test report

The requirement on readily biodegradability (aerobic) can be verified by material safety data sheets for the ingoing surfactants in the products (not safety datasheet for the final product/detergent). See material safety datasheet section "12 Ecological information". In this section it may be stated that This surfactant complies with the biodegradability criteria as laid down in Regulation (EC) No.648/2004 on detergents. For detergents and cleaning products it is by law a requirement that the surfactants are readily biodegradable, which may be stated in section 12 or 15 in the material safety datasheet.

To check anaerobic degradation a test report is needed. The test report shall have been based on the test methods in the requirement and have results showing that the surfactant is anaerobically biodegradable.

Self-declaration verified by an accredited verification body

If a verified self-declaration is used to prove that the requirement is fulfilled, request the supplier’s self-declaration, including documentation showing that the requirement is met. The self-declaration shall be verified by a verification body accredited for the task in accordance with ISO / IEC 17029 or equivalent standard.

Please note that this requirement cannot be verified with the product’s safety data sheet. Safety data sheets for all the ingredient substances in the product are required. More information on this can be found under “follow-up”.

There are currently a limited number of accredited verification bodies for ISO/IEC 17029 (Conformity assessment - General principles and requirements for validation and verification bodies) as it is a relatively new standard. This may change, especially if the demand for verifying compliance in this way increases. More information about the standard and accredited verification bodies can be found on Swedac's website.

The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.