Only 13% of hand disinfectants tested meet requirements

Introduction

Only 13% of hand disinfectants tested meet legal requirements. This is the result of research performed by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) in 2019 (link). 

Only 6 out of 47 hand disinfectants for the consumer market surveyed meet the legal safety requirements. The NVWA examined samples from supermarkets, drugstores and webshops. In The Netherlands Biocides must be approved by the Board for the Approval of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb). 60% of the investigated artikels was not approved by the Ctgb. The efficacy and safety was then not tested. In addition, mandatory warnings, precautionary measures and instructions for use are incorrect or missing. Also, the composition is not always in accordance with the authorisation.

Want to learn more about handgels or sanitising wipes? Download the guidance document here.