THE PRESENT INVENTION RELATES TO A NOVEL COMPOSITION, HAVING A NON-THERAPEUTIC PURPOSE, THAT CONTAINS AT LEAST ONE POM (POLYOXYMETHYLENE DIALKYL ETHER) AND/OR AT LEAST ONE DIALDEHYDE ACETAL, AND ALSO AT LEAST ONE BIOCIDAL AGENT AND OPTIONALLY AT LEAST ONE PRO-PENETRATING AGENT. IT ALSO RELATES TO THE TOPICAL USE OF THIS COMPOSITION FOR PRESERVING AND/OR EMBALMING A HUMAN OR ANIMAL BODY.