Certain new market developments, in particular the development of detergents containing micro-organisms and the refill sale of detergents, are either completely or partially not covered by Regulation (EC) No 648/2004. In addition, the number of products offered for sale via the Internet is increasing and such online sales pose particular enforcement issues in situations where there is neither a manufacturer established in the Union, nor an importer. On the other hand, digitalisation offers opportunities for simplification, burden reduction and increased ease of use and understandability of safety and use information that are currently being missed. It is therefore necessary to take account of new products and practices and step up digitalisation efforts in line with the overarching objectives of the Union, especially in terms of sustainability and green and digital transitions. In addition, refill sales should be encouraged as a specific waste-prevention measure necessary for meeting reuse and refill targets, in line with the European Green Deal set out in the Commission communication of 11 December 2019, and the new Circular Economy Action Plan for a cleaner and more competitive Europe, set out in the Commission communication of 11 March 2020. In order to further the Union’s transition towards a circular economy, the reuse and refill of packaging should be encouraged and promoted. Economic operators should also endeavour to make detergents available on the market to consumers in other sustainable sales forms, for example in recyclable packaging that allows consumers to refill the appropriate packaging at home, while ensuring the safety of consumers.
Text as published in the Official Journal, reproduced verbatim (including any typographical quirks of the source). For the authentic version, see EUR-Lex.
