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  • keyboard_arrow_right A European industry sustainability scheme

    The A.I.S.E. Charter for Sustainable Cleaning is a voluntary initiative of the European detergents and maintenance products industry. The aim is to encourage the whole industry to undertake continual improvement in terms of sustainability and also to encourage consumers to adopt more sustainable ways of doing their washing, cleaning and household maintenance.

    The Charter is a lifecycle analysis (LCA) based framework. It promotes and facilitates a common industry approach to sustainability practice and reporting. A wide variety of activities and initiatives are covered, ranging from the human and environmental safety of chemicals and products, to eco-efficiency, corporate social responsibility, occupational health and safety, resource use and consumer information.

    A.I.S.E., which represents the soaps, detergents and maintenance products industry in Europe, manages the Charter scheme on its behalf.

    The original Charter was launched in 2005 in all EU countries plus Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland and covers all product categories of the soaps, detergents and maintenance products industry, in both the household and industrial and institutional sectors. It is open to all companies, whether they are members of A.I.S.E., its National Association members or not, and whether they manufacture, distribute, or market soaps, detergents, maintenance products or cleaning systems. It is relevant both to manufacturing companies placing products directly on the market as well to retailers and distributors wishing to apply the Charter to private label products. Major updates were launched in 2010 and 2020.

  • keyboard_arrow_right Relevant and responsive

    Sustainable development is important and the Charter stimulates and guides sustainable progress. A.I.S.E. and companies in the cleaning and hygiene industry have long acted responsibly and proactively to reduce their environmental impact and contribute to the wellbeing of society. 

    The Charter for Sustainable Cleaning stimulates and guides this action. The Charter has been regularly updated and has now been upgraded to be even more responsive and relevant, aligned with EU circular economy and plastics policy, climate change priorities and with global policy expectations, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

    Companies carrying the Charter marks on their products can therefore demonstrate to their value chain partners, stakeholders, customers and consumers that they are actively working towards these critical priorities.

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  • keyboard_arrow_right Complete and innovation-friendly

    The Charter is the most complete sustainability scheme for steering best practice for the cleaning and hygiene industry.

    The Charter:
    - is science-based, risk-based and takes into account the entire life cycle
    - encompasses company processes as well as product design standards and sustainable use guidance, inspired by the best available existing schemes while avoiding duplication
    - targets the entire market to achieve maximum improvement
    - includes CSR guidance and further plastic packaging standards
    - is innovation-friendly for the benefit of consumers, environment and society

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  • keyboard_arrow_right Proven and recognised

    The Charter has a proven track record of delivering tangible improvements in environmental performance. Since 2006, companies signed up to the Charter have cut energy use by 33% and carbon emissions by 40% per tonne produced, and have reduced packaging by 32% per consumer unit, all externally verified by the Charter auditors.

    With over 90% of production tonnage in the EU+4 now covered by the Charter, this shows clearly that the industry has decoupled production from energy use and emissions.

    Authorities and independent organisations such as ADEME in France, Germany’s Siegelklarheit, Switzerland’s Labelinfo.ch and ISEAL alliance have recognised the Charter as a relevant and credible scheme.

  • keyboard_arrow_right Modern and appealing

    Charter members have access to modern marks, extensively tested with consumers to ensure that they are highly impactful and visually appealing.

    All companies that commit to the Charter will be able to use the company Charter mark. Manufacturers who additionally meet the sustainability product standards can use the product Charter mark.

    Consumers can be assured that products carrying the product mark meet high standards for environmental safety, minimise waste and provide clear and transparent information on how to use them in a more sustainable way.

    Not only that, but they can be assured that it is a recognised label that meets the requirements of the ISO 14025 standard for Type III environmental labels and declarations.

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  • keyboard_arrow_right Streamlined and engaging

    Charter requires members to track and report on 8 KPI, aligned with EU and global policy agendas.

    To be more accessible to all companies, a set annual fee – proportionate to the size of the organisation - applies. This will make the cost of participation in the scheme simple and cost efficient.

    Additional benefits for members include opportunities to provide input, share best practice and exchange on opportunities to support the successful delivery and promotion of the Charter towards customers and consumers.