VALÉRIE SÉJOURNÉ, CAROLINE MORGAN

A.I.S.E. – International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products, 15 A Avenue Herrmann Debroux, 1160 Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

A.I.S.E. has been the voice of the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products across Europe for the last sixty years. As a pioneer and trendsetter in many areas (voluntary initiatives, legislative matters, stakeholder dialogue and international co-operation), A.I.S.E. has a devoted interest to benefiting society by contributing to the sustainable improvement of the quality and comfort of life through hygiene and cleanliness, in a free, competitive and innovative way. This article will focus on two main areas of activity at the heart of the association’s work towards sustainable progress: the Charter for Sustainable Cleaning which is driving high industry sustainability standards and in parallel, A.I.S.E.’s proactive voluntary projects that contribute to the industry’s regulatory framework. Its priorities in this domain include:

• the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances (CLP), a voluntary programme that investigates methods to classify detergent and cleaning product formulations
• the industry classification network (ICN) which builds on data and expertise to facilitate a consistent classification approach and interpretation of expert judgement for skin/eye irritancy classification under CLP.

These voluntary activities and regulatory projects are vital in tackling the challenges that face the industry now and in the future.

INTRODUCTION
The European detergents, cleaning and maintenance products industry, individually and collectively through A.I.S.E., has a long track record of commitment to safeguarding consumers and the environment. As A.I.S.E. launches in June 2012 its annual review and sustainability report for 2011-2012, it looks back on another action packed year. Significant achievements have been made in both voluntary initiatives and regulatory matters, despite the difficult macroeconomic environment and slow growth of the sector. The combined network membership of A.I.S.E. represented by more than 900 companies, 60 percent of which are being small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), reaches out to a vast number of consumers and professional customers in delivering cleanliness, hygiene and well-being inside and outside of the home for the benefit of all. This remarkable outreach in Europe plays a huge part in being the recognised voice of the sector in Europe and securing A.I.S ...