Sweden confirms plan to crack down on phosphates

2388, 17/09/07

The Swedish chemicals agency (KemI) has formally proposed stringent limits on phosphates in dishwashing detergents in response to a government commission earlier this year (EED 30/4/07 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/23114).

A proposed maximum limit of 0.5 per cent phosphorus, equivalent to two per cent phosphate, would enter force on 1 July 2011, the agency said in a statement.

KemI said the phosphate content of household dishwashing detergents had more than doubled in the last decade and the measure would cut phosphorus emissions by around 20 tonnes a year.

See KemI press release http://www.kemi.se/templates/News____4998.aspx and report http://www.kemi.se/upload/Medier/Pressmeddelanden/2007/Fosfater_i_maskindiskmedel.pdf (Swedish with English summary).

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