ACI and AISE Unveil Guidance on Risk Assessment of Enzyme‑Containing Consumer Products

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) and AISE, the European cleaning and hygiene products industry association, have released their most recent industry guidance on risk characterization in the development of consumer products containing enzymes.

Officials say the updated guidance provides a framework for consumer product manufacturers to develop appropriate risk management strategies to avoid unacceptable risks to the users of new products containing enzymes.

Enzymes bring significant benefits to laundry and other cleaning products, including improved cleaning efficiencies. Enzymes are typically used in cleaning products to “break down” soils and stains on surfaces into smaller components to allow the detergent ingredients to remove them.

Potential Health Hazards

The updated guidance describes the potential health hazards of enzymes present in consumer products and provides a framework for manufacturers of these products to conduct risk assessments to help ensure the safety of new products containing enzymes. Experience in the cleaning products industry demonstrates that the potential risk of adverse effects can be successfully managed by identifying the hazards to be managed, carefully assessing exposure, characterizing the risk and then applying appropriate risk management, officials said.

If the risks are not managed appropriately, it could spell consequences beyond a single product or company, leading to unwarranted limitations on the use of enzyme technology in other consumer applications. It is therefore recommended that companies using enzymes consider how they are managing enzyme safety, including the conduct of appropriate risk assessments and risk management programs.

“With this guidance, we’re equipping the industry with practical, science-based tools to responsibly innovate with enzymes. It reflects our commitment to both consumer safety and regulatory excellence,” said Dr. Francis Kruszewski, ACI senior director, human health & safety. “This publication provides strategies and methods that represent current industry best practices.”

Kruszewski, who was deeply involved in publication of the new guidance and its 2019 and 2005 predecessor editions, says the two-fold goal included harnessing the performance and sustainability benefits of enzymes while maintaining the highest safety standards for consumer use.

Said Alexis Van Maercke, director general of AISE, “Enzymes are a vital component in modern detergents, offering powerful stain removal at low temperatures, making them a key contributor in sustainable cleaning habits. AISE is committed to ensuring the safe use of consumer products containing enzymes by promoting responsible practices and risk management throughout the industry.”

The intended audiences for the guidance document are toxicologists, risk assessors and product safety professionals in industries formulating products containing enzymes.

Guidance for the Risk Assessment of Enzyme-Containing Consumer Products is now available at cleaninginstitute.org.