Navigating Global Safety Standards
Household cleaners, detergents, and disinfectants contain complex mixtures of surfactants, builders, and solvents that present unique toxicological challenges. In Europe, the REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) ensures that companies identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture. A key feature is the identification of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), such as certain phthalates or alkylphenols, which are progressively phased out or subjected to strict authorisation requirements.
In contrast, many global regions rely on the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for classification and labelling, which focuses on hazard communication through standardised pictograms rather than mandatory phase-outs. The primary toxicological concern in domestic environments is “cocktail effects”—the cumulative, low-dose exposure to multiple chemicals from different products used simultaneously. European regulators are increasingly moving towards a “One Substance, One Assessment” model to better account for these combined exposures and their long-term health implications, such as chronic respiratory irritation or hormonal interference. Global standards, however, often assess chemicals in isolation, which may significantly underestimate the total toxic load and the synergistic potency of multi-chemical interactions in the home.