This episode of our Safer Chemicals Podcast focuses on the Biocidal Product Committee’s (BPC) conclusion on the use of the active substance ethanol. The BPC supports its approval for use in hand and general disinfectants (product-types 1, 2 and 4) but does not take a position on whether ethanol should be considered a carcinogenic or reprotoxic substance.

Listen to the Committee Chair Joost van Galen telling what led to this opinion, what it means in practice and what will happen next.

ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee meets to prepare scientific opinions for the European Commission on biocidal active substances and on EU-wide authorisations of biocidal products. The Commission takes final decisions based on these opinions.

Useful links:

ECHA’s Biocides Committee supports approval of ethanol in disinfectants - ECHA news, 24 February 2026

Highlights from February Biocidal Products Committee meeting - ECHA news, 4 March 2026

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication.

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