Cleaning agents include a mixture of substances, which should include soaps, surfactants (surfactants), both low molecular and high molecular weight. The latter include anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants. In order to provide certain properties of cleaning agents, inorganic substances are added: silicates and phosphates. Silicates are used to remove with the solution of cleaning agents the dirt that gets into it from the fabric or other material that is cleaned by washing. Dirt settles on the silicates and is removed with the solution. Phosphates are used to soften the water and therefore to improve washing.
It should be noted that both surfactants and phosphates have a negative impact on the ecological state of the environment. Therefore, technical regulations for detergents establish a conformity assessment for biodegradation of surfactants and the percentage of phosphates in cleaning agents.
Technical Regulation on cleaning agents is approved by the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated August 20, 2008 № 717. It is harmonized with Regulation of the European Union: REGULATION (EC) No 648/2004 of 31 March 2004..
The technical regulation on cleaning agents does not apply to:
