Dan Boyle
Question:91 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied with the progress in phasing out the use of phosphates in domestic cleansing agents; and the progress to date. [16632/03]
Written Answers. - Detergent Products.
In December 1999 the Irish Cosmetics and Detergents Association, ICDA, entered into a voluntary agreement with my predecessor for the effective phasing-out by end 2002 of the marketing of phosphate-based domestic laundry detergent products by ICDA members. ICDA represents some 90% of the domestic laundry detergents market in Ireland.
The agreement provides for a phased move to zero-phosphate products by ICDA members as follows: by 30 June 2000, 55% of market share to be zero-phosphate, by 31 December 2001, 90% of market share to be zero-phosphate, and by 31 December 2002, 95% of market share to be zero phosphate.
My Department is satisfied with the progress that has been achieved to date for compliance with the interim targets, and I understand that ICDA was on track in 2002 to deliver the final phase of the agreement. The submission to my Department of ICDA's audited sales figures for 2002 is due at end June 2003 and will provide additional information as to sales trends at end 2002.
In a related initiative, my Department is in continuing liaison with the non-ICDA sector, and significant progress is being achieved towards securing a similar phase-out by that sector of the marketing of phosphate-based domestic laundry detergents.