EU Weighs Hazard Label for Ethanol in Hand Sanitisers After ECHA Warning

Overview

• Media reports cite an October 10 internal recommendation that identified ethanol as meeting criteria for cancer risk and pregnancy-related harm and advised replacing it in cleaning and other products.
• No regulatory decision has been made, with ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee scheduled to consider the case on November 25–28 before any European Commission action.
• ECHA indicated specific disinfectant uses could still be approved if exposure levels are deemed acceptable or if no viable alternatives exist.
• The World Health Organization deems ethanol and isopropanol suitable for hand hygiene, reflecting assessments focused on topical use in healthcare settings.
• Much of the cancer evidence comes from studies of alcoholic beverage consumption classified by IARC as carcinogenic, not from topical exposure to pure ethanol in sanitisers.