Download Information regarding new version of the DID list, version

Information regarding new version of the DID list, version
2014.1
Dear license holder,
As you may have noticed, a new version of the Detergent Ingredient Database, the DID list, has
been developed. The list ranks chemicals and helps license holders and producers to choose
chemicals with a low environmental impact in your products. The rank is based on, for example the
ingredients’ toxicity, biodegradability and safety factors.
The DID list is used by both the Nordic Ecolabel as well as the EU Ecolabel.
The new DID list was sent to the European Ecolabelling Board (EUEB) for orientation in March
2014. An adjustment of the list was made according to the comments given by the board, thus the
most recent list is named DID list 2014.1.
How does this affect you?
Those substances which have been given new values in the updated version of the DID list,
compared to the previous version, will be affected in different ways. Some chemicals can now be
used to a larger extent than before, whereas other substances must be used to a less extent. It can
also mean that some products will have an easier task fulfilling our criteria, others will struggle more.
Which list applies?
During a period of transition, until 2016, the DID list 2014.1 and the DID list 2007 will both be
valid. It is up to you as license holders or as applicants to decide which list you would like your
products to be evaluated according to. As our criteria documents develop, new criteria versions will
state that it is the DID List 2014.1 which will apply.
No action is required regarding already licensed products. However, when re-applying or extending
your license, you must state which version of the DID list you would like to be used when licensing
your products.
The updated version of the DID list may be used to evaluate those substances not listed in the 2007
version even if you have chosen to use the 2007 version of the DID list in your licensing process.
Alternatively, the calculation model shown in Appendix B of the DID list 2007 can be used.
Changes
The parameters used to evaluate substances have in large not been changed in the revision, apart
from that some substances have been given a particularly low biodegradability. However, substances’
values according to the parameters they are evaluated on have been updated due to new knowledge
on the substances (mostly in collaboration with Cesio, individual operations and data provided by
ECHA). Primarily, safety factors and toxicity values have been updated.
Furthermore, in order to facilitate for Nordic Ecolabel’s environmental officers to choose data, thus
minimizing the error of margin in the licensing process, the revision has prioritized to make the list
more user-friendly. This priority has had the largest impact on surfactants. Now the DID list
contains approximately 100 substances, around 40 more compared to the previous version.
The revision also focused on decreasing the amount of DID numbers with a high safety factor. By
using better ground data (substances have been tested on several trophic levels), approximately 40
DID numbers have been given a lower safety factor. Around 60 substances have been given better
chronical values and therefor also a lower safety factor.
Also data on substances’ biodegradability has to some extent been updated.
Project implementation and external contacts
The updated version of the DID list has been developed in a collaboration between the Nordic
Ecolabel and the EU Ecolabel, led by the Nordic Ecolabel.
Most data processing has been conducted by Ecolabelling Denmark in dialogue with European
collaboration partners and with the help of DHI eco-toxicologists Torben Madsen (Ph. D) and Tina
Slothus (M.Sc). During the course of the project, an AHWG meeting (ad hoc working group
meeting) occurred in Brussels where stakeholders from primarily the industry participated.
Thereafter, a close cooperation between Cesio, trade associations for surfactant manufacturers and
other operations which produce substances on the DID list, was established.
EU Ecolabel
For those with an EU Ecolabel license or those applying for one, more information will be given this
autumn on how the new version of the DID list affects EU Ecolabelled products.
Best regards
Cecilia Ehrenborg Williams
Vice Ceo & Head product development, Nordic Ecolabel