ECHA’s Opinion on Ethanol Postponed to 2026
The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) has concluded its discussions on the approval of ethanol as an active substance in disinfectants, but did not adopt a final opinion. The Committee will resume its assessment in February 2026 and aims to adopt the opinion later in the same year.
Helsinki, 26 November 2025 – The BPC evaluated the approval of ethanol for use in hand disinfectants and general disinfectants. However, the Committee was unable to reach consensus regarding the substance’s potential hazards and the availability of suitable alternatives.
Due to the lack of agreement among Committee members, the adoption of the opinion has been further postponed. The final scientific opinion is not expected before May 2026, after which the European Commission will take the final regulatory decision.
Background
Under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), all active substances used in biocidal products must be approved before the products can be authorised on the EU market.
The Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) of ECHA is responsible for providing science-based opinions on active substances by assessing:
Risks to human health and the environment
Safety profiles of the substances
Their effectiveness for the intended uses
These opinions form a critical basis for the European Commission’s decision-making process under the BPR framework.
What Does This Mean for the Industry?
The postponement of ECHA’s opinion on ethanol creates continued regulatory uncertainty for:
Disinfectant manufacturers
Importers
Authorised representatives
Companies managing BPR compliance processes
In particular, companies with product portfolios containing ethanol-based hand or surface disinfectants should closely monitor regulatory developments and be prepared for potential future regulatory scenarios, including risk management measures or alternative substance considerations.