About A.I.S.E.

A.I.S.E. represents the detergents & maintenance products industry in Europe. Based in Brussels, A.I.S.E. has been the voice of the industry to EU regulators since 1952. Membership consists of 29 national associations across Europe, 19 corporate members and 23 value chain partners. Through this extensive network, A.I.S.E. represents over 900 companies supplying household and professional cleaning products and services across Europe.

The industry is a substantial contributor to the European economy with an annual market value of €45,5 billion, directly employing 95 000 and 360 000 throughout the value chain. A.I.S.E. has a long history in leading voluntary industry initiatives that focus on sustainable design, manufacturing and consumption, product safety and safe use of products by consumers and professional customers.

The voice of the European cleaning & hygiene products industry

We are proud to be shaping the future. A.I.S.E. has taken landmark voluntary initiatives that focus on sustainable design, manufacturing and consumption in our industry as well as ensuring product safety and safe use for consumers and professional users.  

A.I.S.E.’s vision is to be is a role model for serving society in an innovative and sustainable way.  We enable this industry to succeed by promoting and shaping a favourable operating framework. By representing our industry with a unified voice, we create and drive industry initiatives, engage with our value chain partners and key stakeholders and leverage the expertise of our network of national associations and companies.

Our structure

Current members of the A.I.S.E. Board

A.I.S.E. members – National associations and direct member companies 

Our network of national associations and member companies is our greatest asset. Together we are committed to leading and engaging in activities that deliver real added-value for our members and help the industry to realise its vision. Our positions are developed by teams of experts within the A.I.S.E. membership. 

Our national association members are organised at a country level and represent companies of all sizes. They are well-connected and active locally, enabling them to provide A.I.S.E. with valuable insights while at the same time, contributing to our advocacy strategy and supporting their members in the effective implementation of European policy and legislation at national level. 

A.I.S.E.’s corporate members comprise both small and medium sized as well as multi-national companies present across several European markets. In Europe, there are some 700 manufacturing facilities, 85% of which are operated by SMEs. 

Our associate members are companies and associations active throughout the value chain, such as raw material suppliers, machine or appliance manufacturers and retailers. Together, this diverse membership brings to the table both wider perspectives and expertise.

About the Industry

The cleaning and maintenance products industry 

The cleaning and detergents products industry is a substantial contributor to the European economy with an annual market value of approx. €45.5 billion. It employs 95,000 people directly and a further 360,000 throughout its value chain. Our industry affects every home and workplace in Europe, and its work is an essential driving force in protecting our planet for future generations.

Our key priorities are:

• Cleanliness and hygiene. Both in and outside the home and in industrial environments, the products and services of our industry help to deliver the health and hygiene that support the living standards and life expectancy enjoyed in Europe today. Read more
• Safe and sustainable use.  Together with our members we have a raft of voluntary initiatives to promote the safe and sustainable use of our products and support both domestic and professional users. Read more
• Sustainability. Our products sustain the health of our society while also delivering efficacy and environmental safety. Read more
• Science and research. We engage in scientific research to assess the impact of formulations on health and the environment and ensure products are regulated on the same robust principles. Read more
• Product stewardship. Our regulatory work ensures a sustainable, more coherent and relevant framework for essential products and services; Read more

Cleaning, hygiene, and maintenance products

The A.I.S.E. product portfolio is essential to the life of citizens in Europe. Both inside our homes and outside in the community, cleaning, hygiene and maintenance products help to achieve optimal hygiene and protect our health. From laundry, dishwashing and surface care through to building care and kitchen and catering products, the industry supports the health and wellbeing of our society.

The Covid-19 pandemic underlined the critical societal role that our sector plays in providing cleaning and hygiene solutions that are safe, effective, and sustainable. Our members rose to the occasion and supplied businesses and consumers with the detergents and disinfectants needed to help break the chain of infection and keep people safe.

Since the early days of simple bar soap, our industry has continually innovated to develop effective, easy to use products that are resource-efficient and safe for people and the environment. 

Today’s cleaning and maintenance products work better, are more biodegradable and use milder ingredients than ever before. Meanwhile, concentrated formulas save water, packaging, and transport. Our industry is working continuously to be more sustainable in the way that it makes, packages and distributes its products.The industry works with consumers and professional users to help them to clean in a more environmentally friendly way, knowing that the biggest impact of cleaning on the environment is during the use phase, for example to heat water. Our Cleanright portal provides a host of useful household tips while the “I prefer 30°” campaign encourages people to wash their laundry at home at 30°C more often. Professional cleaning is by its very nature sustainable, with concentrated products and optimal use of resources.