Protecting the environment is a responsibility we take seriously. We assess the environmental impact of our products through a multi-faceted process that includes Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), rigorous biodegradability testing, and comprehensive aquatic toxicity assessments. We apply the same rigorous, risk-based scientific approach to environmental safety as we do to consumer safety, guided by proven methods, stringent international standards, and leading industry guidance to ensure our products are not harmful to the environment when used and disposed of as intended. This article outlines the methods we use to assess the impact of our products.
How do Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) guide our product design?
LCAs have been used to measure the impact of laundry detergents for decades, with all studies consistently identifying the in-use phase as having the largest contribution to the environmental impact of laundry products (Saouter and Van Hoof, 2002, The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment; Golsteijn et al., 2015, Environmental Sciences Europe; Mankad et al., 2025, Tenside Surfactants Detergents), primarily due to the energy required to heat the water.
The latest peer-reviewed study shows that the in-use is responsible for 61 % of laundry’s carbon footprint on average in Europe, and that switching from washing at 40ºC to 30ºC can reduce the carbon footprint by 16% (Mankad et al., 2025, Tenside Surfactants Detergents).
Ariel products have been designed for high performance at lower temperatures, thus enabling this shift to lower washing temperature. The performance aspect is critical because if cleaning results fall short, consumers engage in compensatory behaviors like re-washing, higher dosing, or switching to higher temperatures (Cortez et al., 2024, Tenside Surfactants Detergents). Such actions significantly increase the environmental footprint.
How does Ariel assess the biodegradability of its ingredients?
All our formulations are designed to be compatible with modern wastewater treatment processes. Biodegradability is one of the key ways to manage wastewater and therefore it is a relevant ingredient attribute. The key actives in most cleaning products are surfactants, which are required by EU regulation to be biodegradable. The biodegradability of surfactants and other ingredients is typically assessed using internationally recognized test methods, such as the OECD 301 series, which evaluate biodegradability under controlled laboratory conditions.
How does Ariel assess the safety of its formulas for aquatic environments?
Because all our products are washed down the drain after use, we thoroughly assess the environmental safety properties of our ingredients as well as the compatibility with wastewater treatment processes, which include amongst others, physical removal and biodegradability https://pgresearchdevelop.com/blog/biodegradability-testing/.
