Working together for over 70 years
The history of a sustainable industry
In 70 years A.I.S.E. has grown from a handful of associations collaborating to secure the availability of materials post-war, into a pan-European organisation representing over 900 companies across over 30 markets. The history of A.I.S.E. mirrors the history of the European Union itself: the vision of a few brave individuals determined to build a better future based on cooperation between nations, people and industries. Just as the EU has its founding fathers, so A.I.S.E. acknowledges the role of key individuals whose vision for international collaboration led to the establishment of this dynamic trade association that we are proud to lead today.
2023
Today more than 13 billion consumer products are sold with the Charter product logo, indicating that the product meets advanced sustainability criteria
2023
The Charter for Sustainable Cleaning counts 183 member companies and 189 manufacturing sites. Since 2005, there is a 39% reduction in CO2 emissions and 39% reduction in packaging (p/t) www.sustainable-cleaning.com
2022
A.I.S.E. contributes to the revision of EU legislation vital for our industry, the Detergent Regulation, CLP and REACH
2021
A.I.S.E. calls for action to increase the recycling of bottles and sleeves by introducing a removable sleeve icon
2021
A.I.S.E.’s joins the EU High-Level Round Table on the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS)
2020
The consumer multi-lingual portal Cleanright is relaunched in 23 languages www.cleanright.eu
2020
The industry responds rapidly to the COVID-19 pandemic ensuring availability of hygiene and disinfection products for personal and professional use.
2019
20 years of industry compaction show significant environmental savings: laundry dosage reduced by 50%; 30 million tonnes of detergent saved; 45% less tonnage of detergent
2019
A.I.S.E. sets strict targets for a circular economy for plastics with its voluntary plastics packaging initiative
2017
The industry’s ‘keep away from children’ icon is included in the revised UN classification and labelling system
2017
A.I.S.E. vision and strategy revised to ensure the association is agile, proactive and solution oriented
2017
A.I.S.E. publishes corporate social responsibility guidance
2017
A.I.S.E. research confirms consumers prefer simpler products labels with less text and more visuals
2015
Hazard symbols on household cleaning products are replaced with modern icons and precautionary statements
2014
A.I.S.E. launches a pan-European safety campaign to promote the safe use and storage of liquid laundry detergent capsules www.keepcapsfromkids.eu
2014
A.I.S.E. launches I Prefer 30° campaign to engage consumers to wash at lower temperatures www.iprefer30.eu
2013
A.I.S.E. launches DetNet tool or manufacturers to secure classification and labelling according to CLP www.det-net.eu
2012
A.I.S.E. launches first product stewardship programme for liquid detergent capsules to prevent accidental exposures
2008
A.I.S.E. and Cefic launch Cleanright consumer portal for safe and sustainable cleaning at home www.cleanright.eu
2007
A.I.S.E. becomes official ECHA stakeholder
2007
A.I.S.E. launches first product stewardship programme for indoor air quality
2006
A.I.S.E. launched its first compaction project to lower environmental impact of laundry detergents leading to huge environmental savings over the years that follow
2005
Launch of EPAA, European partnership between EU and industry for alternatives to animal testing
2005
Introduction of A.I.S.E.’s safe use icons for household products
2004
Launch of the A.I.S.E.’s Charter for Sustainable Cleaning www.sustainable-cleaning.com Â
2003
Launch of international cooperation via INCPA
2001
Creation of DUCC coordination group for downstream users of chemicals www.ducc.eu
1999
Completion of the GREAT-ER project foreseeing the concentrations of chemicals in different rivers
1999
Launch of HERA platform for human and environmental risk assessment on ingredients of household cleaning products www.heraproject.com
1999
Creation of an SME ‘club’ within A.I.S.E. to focus on the specific needs of small and medium sized manufactures that operate 85% of Europe’s manufacturing facilities
1998
Launch of A.I.S.E.’s voluntary code of good environmental practice for household laundry detergents and Washright campaign
1996
Merger of AIS and F.I.F.E. creating A.I.S.E.
1993
Creation of industry application pictograms for industrial and institutional products
1992
Creation of the Single European Market with free movement of service, goods and people
1991
Creation of joint A.I.S.E./CESIO research platform on risk assessment of surfactants in detergents ERASMÂ www.erasm.org
1989
First of three (1992 & 1995) industry workshops by AIS and CESIO establish the principles for environmental risk assessment of detergent chemicals.
1981
AIS granted consultative status within the U.N.
1974
AIS moves closer to the EEC institutions in Brussels
1973
Industry guidelines for testing textile washing products
1967
International Association of Maintenance Products (F.I.F.E) founded
1964
Progressive voluntary introduction of biodegradable surfactants for laundry products
1963
Harmonisation of tax duties for soap raw materials
1963
Industry programme to promote hygiene with soaps and detergents in schools
1960
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) established
1958
European Economic Community (EEC) founded
1952
International Association of Soaps and Detergents (AIS) founded
1951
European Coal & Steel Community (ECSC) founded
1948
Benelux Economic Union established
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