Turkish Detergent Regulation

The Turkish Detergent Regulation (Deterjanlar Hakkında Yönetmelik) was published in Official Gazette No. 30314 of 27 January 2018 and entered into force on 27 July 2018; its phosphate restrictions (Annex 6/A) have applied since 27 January 2019. The Detergent Regulation was prepared in line with EU Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on detergents.

An amendment published in Official Gazette No. 31716 of 11 January 2022 assigned market surveillance of detergents to the Ministry of Trade and linked sanctions to Law No. 7223 on Product Safety and Technical Regulations. A pre-market notification is no longer required for detergents placed on the Turkish market.

Doruksistem Services for Detergents and Surfactants

Doruksistem helps detergent manufacturers and importers comply with the Turkish Detergent Regulation and related chemicals legislation. Our support covers:

Labels: checking the mandatory label elements under the Detergent Regulation and hazard communication under the Turkish CLP Regulation (SEA)
Safety data sheets: preparing SDS in Turkish in line with Annex II of KKDİK
Ingredient data sheets: preparing the ingredient data sheet required by Annex 7/C
Technical dossiers: compiling biodegradability data, test reports and other documents the Ministry may request
Regulatory monitoring: following changes in Turkish and EU detergent legislation, including Regulation (EU) 2026/405

Scope of the Detergent Regulation

The Regulation covers detergents and the surfactants used in them. Besides laundry and dishwashing detergents, the following products are also considered detergents:

auxiliary washing mixtures, such as pre-wash, rinse and bleaching products
laundry fabric softeners
cleaning mixtures
other washing and cleaning mixtures

It sets rules on the biodegradability of surfactants, restrictions or bans on surfactants that do not meet these rules, additional labelling information (including fragrance allergens), the information manufacturers must keep available for the Ministry and medical personnel, and limits on phosphates and other phosphorus compounds in consumer laundry and automatic dishwasher detergents.

Key Requirements of the Detergent Regulation

Biodegradability of surfactants

Surfactants used in detergents must meet the ultimate aerobic biodegradability criteria set out in Annex 3 of the Regulation. Surfactants that fail these tests may only be used under the derogation procedure described in the Regulation.

Labelling

Detergent labels must include the additional information required by the Regulation, including fragrance allergens, and the packaging must state where the ingredient data sheet can be obtained.

Ingredient data sheet and technical documentation

Manufacturers must provide the ingredient data sheet (Annex 7/C) to medical personnel on request, without delay and free of charge, and keep test results and technical information on their products available for the Ministry.

Phosphates and market surveillance

The use of phosphates and other phosphorus compounds in consumer laundry and automatic dishwasher detergents is restricted under Annex 6/A. Compliance is checked by the Ministry of Trade through market surveillance and inspection, and violations are sanctioned under Law No. 7223.

New EU Detergents and Surfactants Regulation

In the EU, Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents and surfactants was published in the Official Journal on 2 March 2026 and entered into force on 22 March 2026. Most of its provisions will apply from 23 September 2029, when it will replace Regulation (EC) No 648/2004.

The new rules introduce digital labelling options, a Digital Product Passport for detergents and surfactants supplied to end users, a framework for detergents containing micro-organisms and requirements for refill sales. Companies exporting to the EU should start planning for the transition.

Detergent Regulation Services