Representing an industrial sector valued at nearly €50 billion and supporting roughly 360,000 jobs across Europe, the primary trade body for cleaning and hygiene products has overhauled its public branding. Effective June 2, 2026, the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products (formerly A.I.S.E., founded in 1952) operates as Detergents Europe.
The structural shift directly reflects the industry's strategic contribution to EU policy pillars, including public health security, chemical regulatory optimization, and Europe's broader green transition goals.
2026–2028 Executive Leadership Structure Confirmed
During the general assembly celebrating the launch of Detergents Europe, a new executive board was confirmed for the 2026–2028 mandate:
President: Florian Vernay (Unilever) – Re-appointed.
Vice-President (Corporate Members): Yvonne Iwaniuk (SC Johnson)
Vice-President (National Associations): Virginie d’Enfert (FHER)
Treasurer: Arndt Scheidgen (Henkel)
Vice-Treasurer: Jan Vindberg-Larsen (Reckitt)
Concurrently, the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association (UKCPI) was re-confirmed as a board member and designated as the UK and Ireland cluster representative on the National Associations Committee.
Advocacy Anchored in Science and €50 Billion Industrial Scale
Networked across 30 national associations, 19 corporate members, and 700 manufacturing sites, Detergents Europe unifies over 900 businesses across the continent. Operating from its Brussels secretariat, the association advocates for proportional, science-grounded legislation spanning biocides, surfactants, and packaging sustainability.
Florian Vernay, President of Detergents Europe:
"Becoming Detergents Europe reflects a vision to make our sector immediately recognisable, visible and approachable to our partners and stakeholders and strategically relevant as a crucial sector to protect public health, people’s wellbeing and many value chains."
Alexis Van Maercke, Director General of Detergents Europe:
"We want to be clear in all our interactions that we are the voice of cleaning and hygiene products industry. Detergents Europe will continue to collaborate constructively with authorities and policymakers to ensure balanced legislation across Europe, through innovative, safe and sustainable solutions."
