ECHA consultation on ethanol in February:
Recommendation decides on effective infection prevention in Europe

At the end of 2025, the ECHA decided to postpone its opinion on the classification of ethanol until 2026. Prior to this, the use of data on potable alcohol was intensively discussed. The background to this was that drinking alcohol was equated with its use in skin and surface disinfection. The regulatory status remains unchanged for the time being following the postponement: Disinfectants containing ethanol can continue to be used without restriction in their approved areas of application.

According to the current state of scientific knowledge, ethanol is considered safe when used properly for skin or surface disinfection. There is no reliable evidence of reproductive toxicity or carcinogenic effects when used externally.

Numerous organizations at national and European level have clearly positioned themselves accordingly: Ethanol-based disinfectants have been used safely for decades and are a mainstay of infection prevention in hospitals, care facilities, doctors' surgeries and laboratories throughout Europe.

The European medical technology umbrella organization MedTech Europe has repeatedly pointed out that a blanket reassessment of ethanol could have a negative impact on the security of supply in the healthcare sector. The same applies to the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products (A.I.S.E.) and the international competence center for public health "Clean Hospitals". At a national level, these include the German Hospital Association (DKG), the German Society for General and Hospital Hygiene (DGKH), the German Medical Technology Association (BVMED) and the German Pharmaceutical Industry Association (BPI), the hospital associations in the Netherlands, the Nederlandse Vereniging van Ziekenhuizen (NVZ), and in Belgium, Zorgnet-Icuro, as well as the Austrian Society for Hospital Hygiene (ÖGKH) and AUSTROMED, the representative body of medical device manufacturers. In addition, many other organizations throughout Europe.

"The upcoming consultation at the ECHA is an important step in the further evaluation process. The committee has the opportunity to consider the existing scientific findings in a differentiated manner. Ethanol has been a central component of effective hygiene and infection control measures for decades. It is therefore important to have an appropriate, fact-based classification that takes into account the practical benefits and real-life application. Ethanol is crucial for infection and health protection," explains Arne Roettger, Head of the HARTMANN GROUP's Disinfection Division.

HARTMANN will actively support the further process together with partners from the healthcare industry, science and professional associations and will continue to advocate a scientifically sound evaluation of ethanol. As soon as the ECHA publishes new findings or a recommendation following the consultations, HARTMANN will inform customers, partners and professional circles about relevant developments and jointly evaluate the next steps.