Phosphates in dishwasher detergents in Sweden banned from 1 July 2011

Press release 03 March 2009
Ministry of the Environment

In its upcoming maritime policy bill, the Government intends to introduce a ban on phosphates in dishwasher detergents for private use. The aim is that the use of phosphates in detergents and cleaning agents should be reduced and eventually replaced altogether with more environmentally-friendly alternatives.

The Government wants to introduce a ban on phosphates in dishwasher detergents for private use from 1 July 2011. The ban, which is part of the maritime policy bill that the Government will soon present to the Riksdag, means that it will not be permitted to manufacture or market dishwasher detergents with a phosphorus content of more than 0.5 per cent by weight. A ban on phosphates in dishwasher detergents will mean a further reduction in phosphorus emissions of 20 tonnes per year.

- This is a very cost-effective measure to reduce Sweden's phosphorus emissions in aquatic environments. The reduced phosphate emissions in Sweden from detergents and cleaning agents will have a positive effect on the eutrophication situation, primarily in the Baltic Sea. It will also help us achieve the environmental quality objective Zero eutrophication, says Minister of the Environment Andreas Carlgren.

The Government has introduced a ban from 1 September 2008 on retail sales of laundry detergents containing phosphates. This measure means that phosphorus emissions in aquatic environments are estimated to drop by 30 tonnes per year.

The Government's decision is part of the commitment made by Sweden and the other Baltic countries in the Baltic Sea Action Plan. These countries are to replace phosphates in laundry detergents and look into the possibility of replacing phosphates in dishwasher detergents.

- We will be proactive in an effective phase-out of phosphates in detergents and cleaning agents among the Baltic countries. We also intend to act within the EU to ensure that all EU Member States and Russia introduce restrictions on the phosphate content of detergents and cleaning agents. This is a demand that we know has been made by many environmental organisations, not least in Sweden, and to tackle eutrophication in the Baltic Sea all of the Baltic countries must take the same steps that we are taking in Sweden, says Mr Carlgren.

Background

Current phosphorus emissions from detergents and cleaning agents come from private waste water systems that lack treatment capacity for phosphorus. Phosphorus emissions from sources such as detergents and cleaning agents contribute to eutrophication in lakes and seas. Larger Swedish waste water treatment plants remove at least 95 per cent of phosphorus. However, there are a number of smaller treatment plants that do not achieve this level of phosphorus removal, and over 700 000 properties are not connected to municipal sewage systems. Around 800 lakes in Sweden with water run-off are eutrophied and the situation is critical throughout the Baltic Sea. Phosphorus is also in short supply and is a finite resource.

A ceiling of 0.5 per cent by weight is to be set to accommodate phosphate residues from manufacturers who produce detergents both with and without phosphates on the same production lines. By permitting 0.5 per cent phosphorus levels, manufacturers can continue to use phosphites in their products.

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