Council Directive 73/404/EEC of 22 November 1973 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to detergentsOfficial Journal L 347, 17 December 1973, pp. 51 and 52 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof; Having regard to the proposal from the Commission; Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament (1); Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2); Whereas the laws in force in the Member States for ensuring the biodegradability of surfactants differ from one Member State to another, which results in a hindrance to trade; Whereas the increasing use of detergents is one of the causes of pollution of the natural environment in general and the pollution of waters in particular; Whereas one of the pollutant effects of detergents on waters, namely the formation of foam in large quantities restricts contact between water and air...