5 June 2020 –To fight against COVID 19 pandemic situation the high demand for disinfectants and the granting by the Member States of health emergency permits the new producers and suppliers to the market. These companies may not have prior knowledge of the applicable legal framework; some appear to be taking advantage of the situation.

The 20 EU Member States have reported an increase in non-compliant (hand) disinfectants on their markets since March 2020.

Most of the people reported cases of disinfectants that do not have the required authorization or permit, or lack hazard labeling. Many countries found products that cannot be sufficiently effective against viruses.

These products lead to a serious risk to the health of both professionals and consumers, they communicate the measures taken against them in the Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Products (RAPEX), ensuring a safe EU single market and raising public awareness of such products.

National enforcement authorities control online sales and inspection perform in the market to avoid ineffective products to be sell in the market.

Reference: https://echa.europa.eu/-/eu-member-states-report-illegal-and-ineffective-disinfectants