ETHANOL Update

The Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adopted its opinions in February 2026 supporting the approval of Ethanol as an active substance for the following product-types:

• PT 1 – Human hygiene: e.g., hand disinfectants
• PT 2 – Disinfectants and algaecides: not intended for direct contact with humans or animals
• PT 4 – Food and feed area disinfectants: products used in food &feed processing environments

The Standing Committee on Biocidal Products (SCBP) has now published the respective draft Implementing Regulation. Assuming the final agreement of the SCBP,

the projected approval date will be 1 May 2028.

This leaves only a little over 18 months to prepare and submit the required dossiers to keep ethanol-containing biocidal products on the market.

Are you prepared?

From a laboratory perspective, there are several important considerations:

1. Shelf-life studies and Risk Assessments ENV/HH take time – typically 1–2 years.
2. Laboratory capacity may become limited within a tight timeframe.

And for the authorization process you may plan:

1. Regulatory Strategy and Pre-submission consultation with eCA (1-2 months)
2. Dossier Preparation and Submission (4-6 months)

Talk to us. We have the laboratory expertise and an established network to support you on your way.

Have you considered joining a consortium or task force to share the costs and reduce the

financial burden?

Don‘t hesitate to get in touch!

https://www.laus.group/en/biocides/

#LAUSgroup #Ethanol #SCBP