Definicija: A surface-active agent used for removing dirt and grease from a variety of surfaces and materials. Early detergents contained alkyl sulphonates, which proved resistant to bacterial decomposition, causing foaming in rivers and difficulties in sewage treatment plants. These hard detergents were replaced during the 1960s with soft biodegradable detergents. Apprehension continues to be expressed about the use of phosphates in detergents, helping to promote the process of eutrophication. No satisfactory substitute has yet emerged.

Definicija: Sredstvo, ki deluje na površine, uporablja se za odstranjevanje nesnage in maščob z različnih površin in vrst materialov. Prvi detergenti so vsebovali alkilsulfonate, ki so se pokazali kot odporni na delovanje bakterij, povzročali so penjenje rek in težave v čistilnih napravah. Te močne detergente so v šestdesetih letih dvajsetega stoletja nadomestili s šibkejšimi, biorazgradljivimi detergenti. Še naprej obstaja dvom o uporabi fosfatov v detergentih, saj pripomorejo k procesu evtrofikacije. Niso še iznašli ustreznega nadomestka.

Definicija: An artificially produced solid or liquid cleansing substance that acts like soap but is stronger, and is capable of dissolving oily materials and dispersing them in water.

Definicija: Umetno proizvedena trdna ali tekoča čistilna snov, ki deluje kot milo, vendar je močnejša in lahko raztopi oljne snovi ter jih razprši v vodo.

Definicija: The Committee was established for the adaptation to technical progress of Directives for removing technical barriers to trade in the detergents sector. It delivers its opinion on a draft of the measures to be taken in accordance with the Directive concerning the methods of testing the biodegradability of non-ionic surfactants present in the detergents.