FEATURE
Unmasking fraudulent disinfection claims
Peter Thistlethwaite, Technical Manager at MSL Solution Providers, explores the rise of false disinfection claims and the crucial role of biocide testing to ensure consumer safety.
In recent years, the disinfectants and cleaning products market has grown significantly due to increased hygiene awareness, but this has also led to more fraudulent products with false claims and unsubstantiated marketing jargon. Understanding the evolving biocide testing and regulation landscape is crucial for consumer safety and product integrity.
The biocide market is facing increasingly complex testing and regulatory requirements, with rising entry costs. Competent authorities are under pressure due to multiple actives undergoing the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) dossier process, leading to resource issues for market monitoring and, subsequently, a rise in fraudulent products.
Initially driven by the COVID-19 response, unregulated products have proliferated, exacerbated by drop shipping and e-commerce anonymity. Many products enter the market without the proper European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) listing and, in many cases, making unvalidated safety and efficacy claims.
They exploit the public’s heightened awareness of germs and use eco-friendly language to attract environmentally conscious consumers, making unsubstantiated claims for profit. End users and manufacturers must understand product requirements to make informed choices. A test that proves a product kills 99.99% of bacteria is not just a label claim: it assures users that no harmful organisms remain.
Disinfectant testing requirements
Inherently dangerous, disinfectants and cleaning products represent common daily exposure to hazardous chemicals. Ensuring data on exposure, environmental impact, stability and efficacy is crucial for safe use.
Knowing the required testing methods for a product can be challenging. It’s often easier to understand with an example. Consider this: a new company is entering the disinfection market with a liquid product based on Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATs), for facilities management. It aims to market it for spray and wipe applications, mopping floors and whole room disinfection in hotels, claiming efficacy against all germs and enveloped viruses.
Regulations state the active substance must come from a suitable article 95 supplier registered with ECHA. The product is defined as Product Type (PT) 2 (disinfectant not for direct application to humans or animals) and categorised under janitorial use according to CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation – the European Committee for Standardisation). This ensures the raw material meets necessary standards and key information is known to the market.
38 | TOMORROW'S CLEANING
With this designation, the company can now validate its claims using the tests specified in EN 14885, including:
• EN 1276 – Bacterial suspension test • EN 1650 – Yeast suspension test • EN 13697 – Bacteria and Yeast surface test
• EN 14476 – Virucidal suspension test – Enveloped virus claim – Janitorial use conditions
• EN 17272 – Airborne disinfection – Bacteria, Yeast and viruses
Testing should always use the most up-to-date methods and be repeated if significant changes occur. They should replicate real-use conditions as closely as possible, including correct product dilutions, expected levels of interfering substances and reasonable contact times. For example, a spray and wipe product should have a one- minute contact time, rather than 60 minutes, to reflect practical use.
Each test method has specific criteria to demonstrate adequate disinfection. If a product fails to meet these, it cannot make the claim. Products must undergo testing against all required organisms, achieve the specified log reduction and be tested with appropriate interfering substances. Details can be found in the EN14885 document, which manufacturers and buyers should consult to ensure compliance.
Companies that operate outside of regulations face consequences ranging from market removal to financial and legal repercussions. Partnering with a trusted regulatory and microbiological testing house ensures products comply with current regulations and are supported by robust scientific evidence. MSL Solution Providers offers expertise in navigating the complex regulatory landscape and provides comprehensive testing services to ensure products meet all necessary standards, substantiate claims and remain compliant.
www.msl.io twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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