EU panel backs ethanol use in disinfectants

The European Chemicals Agency has supported the continued use of ethanol in hand and surface disinfectants, while stating that it has not yet determined whether the substance poses cancer or reproductive risks, Indian Chemical News reported.

During its February meeting, the agency’s Biocidal Products Committee approved opinions recommending ethanol for use in several types of products. These include hand sanitizers and other personal hygiene products, disinfectants and algae-control products that are not intended for direct contact with people or animals, as well as products used in areas related to food and animal feed.

The committee said its review found that ethanol can be used safely in these applications. However, it did not decide whether the substance should be officially classified as causing cancer or reproductive harm. Because of this, no new risk classification has been proposed.

The report said the decision was influenced by missing information in the submitted data. Although the application was considered complete, it lacked detailed information on skin contact exposure, which is an important factor for disinfectant products. The committee also noted that existing inhalation studies did not follow standard testing guidelines.

Regarding concerns about cancer and reproductive effects, the committee said most available evidence relates to the voluntary consumption of alcoholic beverages. It stated that such studies were not suitable for assessing ethanol’s use in disinfectants.
New studies examining more relevant types of exposure are currently in progress. The committee said these results must be reviewed before a final decision is made, but warned that waiting for the findings could delay the approval process.

The committee’s recommendation will now be submitted to the European Commission, which will draft a proposal either approving or rejecting ethanol’s use. Member states will then vote on the proposal.

If approved, companies will be able to apply for permission to sell ethanol-based products either at the national level or across the European Union. If rejected, products containing ethanol would need to be withdrawn from the market after a transition period.
Under European Union rules, all active ingredients used in disinfectant products must be approved before the products themselves can be authorised. The Biocidal Products Committee provides scientific evaluations to determine the safety and effectiveness of these substances.