Better regulation and safe use of products:For a more effective information to consumers

A.I.S.E. Fact sheet • December 2017

BAckgrounD:• EU Better Regulation agenda:Frameworkandamind-setshiftfor

potentialsignificantimprovementsofthecurrentlegislativeframework

• EUCommissionCumulativeCostAssessmentstudy(2016):

^ Theoveralllegislationcostforthedetergentsandmaintenanceproductsindustryamountstoapproximately:€670 million, correspondingto 33.4% ofitsprofits.^ Thesecostsaredisproportionateforoursectorcomparedtoothersectorsaffectedbychemicalslegislation.

• Manyoftheselegislativecostsare driven by on pack regulatory information.

ThE ISSuE:Currentregulatorylabelsare:

• Overloadedwithregulatoryinformationrequirements(overlaps)

• Notveryeffectiveindrivingsafeusebyconsumers

• Verycostlytoimplementforindustry

AchIEVEMEnTS To DATE:• StakeholderworkshopinJune2016:Medical

professionals,PoisonControlecentersetcandotherindustriesalsoseekingopportunitiesforimprovement.

• Qualitativeandquantitativeconsumerresearchin2016/2017:

^ Consumerperceptionandhabits

^ Assessmentofalternativelabels

^ Comprehensionoficonsandpictograms

our coMMITMEnT:IntheframeworkoftheBetterRegulationagendaandinpar-ticularDetergentRegulation,CLPandUNGHSdiscussions:

Improve the effectiveness of safe use communica-tiontoconsumersvialabelsandotherpossiblemeans,inordertomakesureconsumers:

^ noticethesafetyinformation,^ understandit^ andact upon it to ensure safe use.

International Association for Soaps,Detergents and Maintenance Products

A.I.S.E. aisbl • Boulevard du Souverain 165 • 1160 Brussels • BelgiumPhone: +32 2 679 62 60 • Fax: +32 2 679 62 66 • Email: aise.main@aise.eu • VAT: BE 0538 183 615 www.aise.eu

“It is important that every single measure in the EU's rulebook is fit for purpose, modern, effective, proportionate, operational and as simple as possible.”

Source:EuropeanCommission -"BetterRegulationforbetterresults -AnEUagenda"May2015

A.I.S.E.'S ProPoSED wAy ForwArD:

• Simplifyandprioritiseinformationonpack

^ Promoteuseoficonsinsteadoftext(egPrecautionarystatements)

^ Seektoimproveicons/pictogramswhereneeded/possible(egCLPeyehazard)

^ Exploredigitalizationopportunities

• Ensurethattheinformationisproportionatetotheproduct’sactualrisks.

• Workwithotherinterestedindustrysectorsandstakeholders.

ASSESSMEnT oF AlTErnATIVE lABElS - conSuMEr unDErSTAnDIng AnD PrEFErEncE (quantitative consumer research - march 2017 n=1800)

• Simpler labels (lesstext,keybasicsafeuseinformation,etc.)arepreferredbyconsumers

• Theprinciple“the more information the better” does not really workforconsumers(shortattention);

• Safe use icons/precautionary pictograms are useful andgenerallybetterunderstoodthantext;

• Respondentsappreciatethepresenceof useful informationonthelabels.

1

2

3

Alternative 1label

44%“A lot of Information

AND easy to understand.”

Currentlabel

17%“The most

Information.”

Alternative 2label

36%“Easy to understand.

Other options too complicated.”

Z Respondents preferred the simpler and more graphical alternative labels

versus the current CLP label

clP / Detergent Regulation

Label information not determined by current regulatory requirements Flexible Interpretation Compliant

Safe use instructions

Prominent safe use icons focusing on the relevant warnings Warning phrases replaced by safe use icons when possibleMultiple warning phrases in all languagesLimited space for safe use icons

Ingredient information

Ingredients list on pack limited to clearly listed allergens, other info is available on-line Ingredients list with international names (cf. Cosmetics), including all allergensIngredients list in all languagesAllergens in two separate places

MAIN LABEL DESIgn ElEMEnTS

A.I.S.E. aisbl • Boulevard du Souverain 165 • 1160 Brussels • BelgiumPhone: +32 2 679 62 60 • Fax: +32 2 679 62 66 • Email: aise.main@aise.eu • VAT: BE 0538 183 615 www.aise.eu

©A.I.S.E.December2017

FInDIngS FroM conSuMEr rESEArch (2016/2017) - conTInuED:• consumer perception and habits

^ Safeusebehaviourisnotinfluencedbythebacklabelexecution

^ Safeusepracticeisdeterminedintuitively(e.g.experience,connotationofperformance,packdesign),evenincaseofcrisis

• comprehension of icons and pictograms

^ Someissueswithcomprehensionoflabels:criticalelementsofCLPlabelspoorly(orhardly)understood

^ A.I.S.E.safeuseiconsaremoreeasilyunderstoodthanCLPpictograms

^ A.I.S.E.“KeepAwayFromChildren”pictogramhasaveryhighlevelofconsumerunderstanding(93%)

For further information and details of the consumer research:https://www.aise.eu/our-activities/product-safety-and-innovation/classification-labelling/bres-project.aspx

«Balanced»«HarMful» «safe»

Consumerstendto“spontaneously“groupproductsaccordingtotheirhazardprofilewithoutevenreadingbacklabelscf3 “levels”above(NB:brandsfeaturedhereareforillustrativepurposeonly)

conSuMEr PErcEPTIon

WELL UNDERSTOOD NOT UNDERSTOODMODERATELY

COMPREHENSION OF ICONS AND PICTOGRAMS - AS PER GHS METHODOLOGY

“ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD”OVERALL SATISFACTORY

62%

“CORROSIVE” WASWELL UNDERSTOOD

54%

BUTHARDLY EVER LINKED

TO “EYE HAZARD”

RARELY UNDERSTOOD

3%NOT ASSOCIATED WITH

EYE HAZARDS

A.I.S.E. KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN

VERY SATISFACTORY 93%