The Soap and Detergent Association originally tried to defeat the Washington bill.

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"There's an ironclad commitment on the part of industry to meet this date, " says Dennis Griesing, the Soap and Detergent Association's vice president for government affairs.

FORBES: Environmental Activists Get Under Your Sink

"I'll be back in Annapolis next year to ask Maryland to change its effective date from January to July, " says Griesing of the Soap and Detergent Association.

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Back then, the Soap and Detergent Association got an allowance for up to 8.7% phosphate content in dishwasher detergent in state legislation covering laundry detergent, based on its claim that phosphates were needed to clean dishes that had been used for starchy foods, like macaroni and cheese.

FORBES: Environmental Activists Get Under Your Sink