Health
EU considers restricting ethanol in hand sanitisers over cancer concerns
The recommendation has sparked debate among health experts and industry groups, as ethanol remains one of the most widely used disinfectants worldwide.
The European Union is weighing whether to classify ethanol — a key ingredient in most hand sanitisers and cleaning products — as a potentially dangerous substance linked to cancer and pregnancy complications.
According to a Financial Times report on Tuesday, an internal working group within the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recommended on October 10 that ethanol be listed as toxic, citing possible links to cancer risks.
The recommendation has sparked debate among health experts and industry groups, as ethanol remains one of the most widely used disinfectants worldwide.
The ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee is expected to meet between November 25 and 28 to review the findings. If the committee concludes that ethanol is carcinogenic, it may recommend substituting the substance in cleaning and disinfectant products. The final decision, however, would rest with the European Commission.
The ECHA did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but told the Financial Times that no decision had yet been made. The agency noted that ethanol could still be approved for use in biocidal products if exposure levels are deemed safe or if suitable alternatives are unavailable.
The World Health Organization (WHO), meanwhile, continues to classify ethanol-based hand sanitisers as safe and effective for hand hygiene — a position that guided global health practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any move to restrict ethanol could have major implications for manufacturers of disinfectants, cosmetics, and personal hygiene products across Europe, where ethanol-based formulations dominate the market.