At the end of November 2025, the BPC concluded its meeting without reaching a consensus on the approval of ethanol as an active substance for disinfectants (hand hygiene and general use). Due to this lack of agreement, the assessment has been postponed: the BPC will resume discussions in February 2026, with the objective of issuing a final opinion by May 2026. Once the opinion is published, the final decision will lie with the European Commission, following the procedure set out under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR).
This postponement represents yet another delay in the approval of ethanol (a substance widely used in disinfectants) and introduces a period of uncertainty for companies operating in the biocides sector.
What Are the Consequences for Biocidal Product Suppliers?
Transitional Period Continues, but Uncertainty Remains
As a result of the postponement, the current transitional period, during which products containing ethanol may still be placed on the market, is effectively extended. However, the outlook remains unclear: the actual approval can only occur after the Commission’s green light, meaning not before May 2026.
This uncertainty makes long-term planning difficult for manufacturers and importers. Without a clear regulatory framework, deciding whether to maintain existing product lines or launch new ones becomes challenging: should companies wait for the Commission’s decision, anticipate a possible non-approval, or prepare for potentially stricter conditions?
How EcoMundo Can Support You
At EcoMundo, we fully understand the challenges created by such postponements for companies placing biocidal products on the market. To help you anticipate upcoming developments and secure your product authorisation processes, we offer tailored support, including:
- A data gap analysis to identify missing data for your formulation;
- Collection of the physico-chemical and toxicological data required for the assessment;
- Test strategy development and monitoring of laboratory testing;
- Preparation of the strategy needed to best anticipate the risk assessment phase, which will only be possible following ethanol’s approval; maximising your chances of success and reducing delays.
Thanks to this support, you will be able to anticipate post-approval requirements for ethanol, prepare your formulations, and demonstrate the compliance of your products, even in an uncertain regulatory landscape. Feel free to contact us to secure your regulatory strategy today.
At the end of November 2025, the BPC concluded its meeting without reaching a consensus on the approval of ethanol as an active substance for disinfectants (hand hygiene and general use). Due to this lack of agreement, the assessment has been postponed: the BPC will resume discussions in February 2026, with the objective of issuing a final opinion by May 2026. Once the opinion is published, the final decision will lie with the European Commission, following the procedure set out under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR).
This postponement represents yet another delay in the approval of ethanol (a substance widely used in disinfectants) and introduces a period of uncertainty for companies operating in the biocides sector.
What Are the Consequences for Biocidal Product Suppliers?
Transitional Period Continues, but Uncertainty Remains
As a result of the postponement, the current transitional period, during which products containing ethanol may still be placed on the market, is effectively extended. However, the outlook remains unclear: the actual approval can only occur after the Commission’s green light, meaning not before May 2026.
This uncertainty makes long-term planning difficult for manufacturers and importers. Without a clear regulatory framework, deciding whether to maintain existing product lines or launch new ones becomes challenging: should companies wait for the Commission’s decision, anticipate a possible non-approval, or prepare for potentially stricter conditions?
How EcoMundo Can Support You
At EcoMundo, we fully understand the challenges created by such postponements for companies placing biocidal products on the market. To help you anticipate upcoming developments and secure your product authorisation processes, we offer tailored support, including:
- A data gap analysis to identify missing data for your formulation;
- Collection of the physico-chemical and toxicological data required for the assessment;
- Test strategy development and monitoring of laboratory testing;
- Preparation of the strategy needed to best anticipate the risk assessment phase, which will only be possible following ethanol’s approval; maximising your chances of success and reducing delays.
Thanks to this support, you will be able to anticipate post-approval requirements for ethanol, prepare your formulations, and demonstrate the compliance of your products, even in an uncertain regulatory landscape. Feel free to contact us to secure your regulatory strategy today.
