A phosphate-free detergent formulation for machine dishwashing comprising, as components: a) from 1 to 20% by weight of copolymers of a1) from 20 to 80% by weight, preferably from 30 to 70% by weight, of at least one monomer from the group consisting of monoethylenically unsaturated C.sub.3-C.sub.10-mono- or -dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides thereof, a2) from 0 to 80% by weight, preferably from 10 to 50% by weight, of at least one monomer of the general formula (I), ##STR00001## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently H, CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2H.sub.5, R.sup.4 is a linear, branched or cyclic radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aromatic radical having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and a3) from 0 to 80% by weight, preferably from 5 to 20% by weight, of at least one further monomer selected from the group consisting of olefins having 10 or more carbon atoms or mixtures thereof and reactive polyisobutenes having on average from 12 to 100 carbon atoms, b) from 1 to 50% by weight of complexing agents, selected from the group consisting of nitrilotriacetic acid, hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid, glutaminicaciddiacetic acid, iminodisuccinic acid, hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid, ethylendiaminodisuccinic acid, asparaginicaciddiacetic acid and salts therof, c) from 1 to 15% by weight of low-foaming nonionic surfactants, d) from 0.1 to 30% by weight of bleaches and, if appropriate, bleach activators, e) from 0 to 60% by weight of further builders, f) from 0 to 8% by weight of enzymes, g) from 0 to 50% by weight of one or more further additives such as anionic or zwitterionic surfactants, bleach catalysts, alkali carriers, corrosion inhibitors, defoamers, dyes, fragrances, fillers, organic solvents and water, the sum of components a) to g) adding up to 100% by weight.