The European Union, EU, is weighing a potential ban on ethanol, one of the most common ingredients in hand sanitisers and disinfectants, following concerns that it could pose cancer and reproductive health risks.
According to a report by the Financial Times, the European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, identified ethanol as a substance of concern after a working group within the agency recommended its classification as toxic on October 10.
The findings suggest that ethanol exposure could be linked to increased cancer risk and pregnancy complications, prompting calls for its replacement in cleaning and biocidal products widely used across the EU.
ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee will convene between November 25 and 28 to discuss whether the ingredient should remain approved for use or be gradually phased out.
In a statement to Reuters, the agency confirmed it is “currently assessing ethanol’s safety for biocidal applications.” If the expert panel finds sufficient evidence of harm, ECHA is expected to issue a formal recommendation for substitution, which would eventually go before the European Commission for a final decision.
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“Evaluations are still ongoing and no final conclusions have been reached,” the agency noted, emphasizing that any regulatory change would depend on the scientific opinion of its expert committee.
The possible restrictions have sparked concern among manufacturers and healthcare providers, as ethanol-based sanitisers became a critical public health tool during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Industry experts warn that banning ethanol could disrupt supply chains for disinfectants and require reformulation of thousands of hygiene products currently approved across Europe.
Despite ECHA’s ongoing review, the World Health Organisation maintains that both ethanol and isopropanol are safe and effective for hand hygiene, provided they are used according to established guidelines.
Public health analysts say the EU’s deliberations reflect a broader trend of tightening chemical safety regulations aimed at protecting consumers from potential long-term health hazards.
For now, no immediate restrictions are in place, but if the EU decides in favour of a ban, it could mark a major shift in the continent’s approach to disinfectant safety — with ripple effects for global hygiene product standards.
Reuters
