Ethanol, a widely used active substance in disinfectants, has recently reached an important milestone under
the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), following a long and complex evaluation process.
Indeed, ethanol has been assessed by ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) for several product types.
Following this process, a positive opinion has been adopted for its approval in Product Types 1 (human
hygiene), 2 (disinfectants) and 4 (food and feed area disinfectants). Notably, the approval is expected without
a harmonised hazard classification, although specific remarks have been included regarding lactation and
STOT (Specific Target Organ Toxicity) considerations.
The formal opinions were recently published on the ECHA website. The European Commission will soon
be tasked to prepare and adopt the corresponding implementing act formalising the approval of ethanol at EU
level.
At the same time, it is important to note that Greece has signalled its intention to submit a proposal for the
reclassification of ethanol under the CLP Regulation, which could reopen discussions on its hazard profile in
the future.
