The European detergents industry has greatly reduced the proportion of poorly biodegradable ingredients in its products and accomplished marked savings in detergent dosages as well as in energy consumption and packaging. These are the main results achieved by the Code of Good Environmental Practice, a voluntary initiative, as jointly published by the international detergents industry association AISE and the EU Commission.

New formulations and innovative products have brought about a major reduction in the environmental impact caused by laundry washing. In the period from 1997 to 2001 (base year: 1996), the following savings were achieved per wash cycle.

• Amount of detergent: -16.0 percent
• Amount of packaging: -14.9 percent
• Poorly biodegradable organic ingredients: - 30.4 percent

More powerful detergents and a consumer information campaign on ecologically sound laundering have also decreased the per capita energy consumption by 6.4 percent. As part of the European detergents industry, Henkel has continuously contributed to the success of this industry initiative by developing new products, changing formulations, and optimizing production processes. The European detergent manufacturers have already set themselves new targets for the future. With Henkel as an active participant, AISE, the European Soap, Detergents and Maintenance Products Industry Association, is currently developing a Charter for Sustainable Development for its member companies. This Charter will address sustainable product design as well as sustainable product use by consumers.