Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

643. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the products on the Biocidal Product Registers which do not meet the WHO minimum standard for efficacy, particularly regarding the levels of ethanol and other alcohols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42851/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Biocidal products may only be marketed and used in Ireland once they are registered with my Department and are entered on the Biocidal Product Register (BPR) in accordance with Regulation 20 of Statutory Instrument 427 of 2013 and Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012 governing the marketing and use of biocidal products in the European Union.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) published guidance in 2010 for specific formulations which could be used in hand sanitisers. These recommendations are primarily aimed at the local production of hand sanitisers in countries where there may not be a recognised registration system for such products and where resources may be limited. These recommendations are not set down in Irish or EU legislation but were endorsed by various health authorities across the world as being suitable to help against the spread of Covid-19. However, it is important to note that all PT 1 class alcohol-based sanitiser products for human use, containing ethanol as the sole active ingredient, registered by my Department since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic require a minimum content of 60% ethanol, in line with HSE requirements.

There are no specific guidelines set down for ethanol-based sanitisers but all hand sanitising products registered in Ireland must fully comply with all of the provisions of Irish and EU legislation in this area.