Statement - On the future of ethanol-based biocidal products in the European Union
- Ethanol is the essential ingredient in hand sanitisers, surface disinfectants, antiseptics, and many other biocidal products that keep us all safe. It is indispensable to public health, economic prosperity, and industrial resilience across the EU. No alternative substance matches its proven efficacy, safety, and availability. Yet, regrettably, there is a real and serious risk that a de facto ban on ethanol-based biocidal products will be introduced in the EU. Therefore, we – the signatories, representing a broad base of would-be affected sectors from across the EU – urge the relevant national authorities in EU Member States and the European Commission to act now to prevent the CMR classification of ethanol in biocidal products.
