Questions and answers for those selling drain cleaners

There are several alternatives to highly corrosive drain cleaners, for example mechanical alternatives such as suction cups or cleaning wires. There are also products that prevent drain blockages such as hair traps and products that act biologically using enzymes and bacteria.

In general, products containing at least five percent sodium or potassium hydroxide and intended for cleaning and unblocking drains are subject to permit requirements.

Such products are classified as corrosive to skin in hazard category 1A and must be labelled with the hazard pictogram Corrosive and the hazard statement ‘Causes severe skin burns and eye damage’, according to the rules of the CLP Regulation. The hazard category information is not shown on the hazard labelling on the packaging, but it must be shown in the product's safety data sheet.

A product that is marketed as intended for cleaning and unblocking drains is considered a drain cleaner. The intended use may be indicated, for example, by text or images on the packaging, on a website, in a safety data sheet or on a product leaflet. If you are unsure, you should contact your supplier and ask.

From 1 January 2025, you may only sell highly corrosive drain cleaners to private users who can present a permit from the county administrative board. You may also sell highly corrosive drain cleaners to professional users without a licence. However, this does not apply to drain cleaners covered by the Swedish ban on liquid drain cleaners.

Only highly corrosive products that are marketed as being intended for cleaning or unblocking drains will be subject to the future permit requirement for private users. Other highly corrosive products containing sodium or potassium hydroxide may continue to be purchased and used by private users without the need for a permit.

According to the Swedish Poisons Information Centre, the reason why the permit requirement applies to products intended for use as drain cleaners is because that type of use causes the most accidents in the home.

The intended use may be indicated, for example, by text or images on the packaging, a website, a safety data sheet or a product leaflet. If you are unsure, you should contact your supplier and ask.

If you sell highly corrosive drain cleaners to private users, from 1 January 2025 you will need to record the date of sale, the product name and quantity, and the name and address of the buyer. You must also record that your private customer has shown a valid licence from the county administrative board.