Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1479. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is possible for an application for a PCS number for an eco-friendly hand sanitiser to be fast tracked or for a temporary licence to be awarded on account of public health needs for such products in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33493/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the national competent authority for the approval and registration of biocide products, including sanitisers.

Biocidal products, including any type of hand sanitisers, may only be marketed and used in Ireland once they are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and are entered on the Biocidal Product Register" in accordance with Regulation 20 of Statutory Instrument 427 of 2013.

The process for registering biocidal products aims to ensure that their use does not result in harmful effects on human, animal health, or the environment. The approval process also checks that applications comply with all legislation on contents and efficacy. As you will understand there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of products submitted for approval and my Department has now more than 450 hand sanitiser products listed on the register of approved products. I am taking steps to expedite the processing of outstanding applications which are dealt with in order of receipt.