Phosphatfreier

Phosphatfreier (phosphate-free) is a label used in German-speaking markets to indicate that a product contains no phosphate compounds. In detergents and cleaners, phosphates such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and other polyphosphates have long been used as builders to soften water and improve cleaning efficiency. Phosphatfreier products replace these compounds with alternative builders such as zeolites, citrates, silicates, and polycarboxylates.

Reducing phosphorus discharge is a key environmental rationale for phosphate-free formulations, since phosphorus compounds can contribute to eutrophication in rivers and lakes. Because of these environmental concerns, many jurisdictions regulate or encourage phosphate reductions in consumer cleaners, and manufacturers commonly offer phosphate-free variants with labeling to help consumers make informed choices.

The term is primarily encountered in household cleaning products—dishwasher and laundry detergents, as well as some all-purpose cleaners—but can also appear in foods or cosmetics where phosphate additives are avoided. The absence of phosphates can affect cleaning performance in very hard water, so phosphate-free formulations are often designed to achieve comparable results through alternative chemistry, sometimes with changes in dosage or formulation.

Phosphate-free labeling thus signals a product designed to reduce phosphorus release and environmental impact, while balancing cleaning performance and cost. It remains one of several tools in environmental protection and sustainable consumer choices.