ABSTRACT
Bearing in mind the main source of detergent pollution (domestic use), the directives tackle the problem by prohibiting the sale and use of particular types of detergent where the level of biodegradability of their particular constituents, the surfactants, falls below a set level, usually 90%. The daughter directives establish, inter alia, various acceptable methods of testing for biodegradability. The measure also ensures free trade of detergents within the EC.
