A clear strategy up to 2050

At that time, a voluntary initiative of the European detergent and maintenance products industry was launched. This has since been revised twice to ensure that it is in line with the European political agenda. The SKW is also involved.

The Charter promotes best practices and continuous improvements based on the circular economy, which includes the sustainable manufacture, design, use and disposal of cleaning and maintenance products.

The Sustainable Cleaning Charter's track record from 2006 to 2022 is as follows:

• increase from 19 to over 114 participating companies (plus 72 retailers),
• 42% reduction in energy consumption per tonne of detergents and cleaning products produced,
• 42% less carbon dioxide (CO₂ emissions per tonne of detergents and cleaning products produced),
• approximately 14.5 billion products bearing the initiative's product seal (since 2011).

More than 13 billion products on the European market now meet the sustainability initiative's criteria and carry the initiative's product seal. 

The initiative aims to have a broad impact, i.e. the participation of as many companies in as many countries as possible should result in a considerable improvement in measurable sustainability criteria, such as energy and raw material savings.

Our sector's long-term goal is equally clear: net zero by 2050 – or sooner.

Continuous progress for people and the environment

Real change only happens when everyone is involved

Europe's detergents and cleaning products industry sets new standards in sustainability