ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

The European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA) Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) concluded its discussions at the end of last month on the approval of ethanol as an active substance in hand and disinfectants without adopting an opinion. This was due to the lack of consensus.

The final opinion is not expected until May 2026, after which the European Commission will take the decision.

A.I.S.E, the European trade association for detergents and maintenance products, issued a statement following the meeting. It said: "The decision to postpone the opinion on ethanol due to lack of consensus is a first step in the right direction by the Biocidal Products Committee. It recognises the complexity of the issue. At the same time, we strongly believe this was a missed?opportunity to reaffirm?ethanol?in biocides?as?safe,?essential?and irreplaceable. The postponement is a delay, not a solution.?

"The stakes are high and continued uncertainty risks undermining public and professional confidence in ethanol and ethanol-based biocides, which are Europe's first line of defence against infections, including the 3.5 million healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) that occur annually in the EU and EEA, resulting in 90,000 deaths.?

"Together with our partners and backed by the collective expert opinion of almost 1,100 health and industry experts, we urge the European Commission and Member States to choose a path forward that does not undermine the essential use of ethanol for professionals and for the general public uses, keeping in mind:

• Exposure routes relevant to real-world use of biocidal products?and not alcohol abuse or overconsumption
• The absence of viable alternatives
• The significant socio-economic and public health impacts of any restriction

"We remain fully engaged, together with our stakeholders and supporters across Europe, through the #HandsUpForEthanol campaign. Maintaining access to ethanol is essential for infection prevention, supply chain resilience, and Europe's readiness for future public health emergencies. We call on each of you to keep engaging with our campaign and to continue outreach to European and national authorities."

aise.eu/handsupforethanol