Information and FAQ's on Hand Sanitisers and Biocides’

Information and Frequently Asked Questions on Hand Sanitisers and Biocides.

Hand sanitisers and indeed certain other products such as disinfectants and some brands of wipes are biocidal products. What this means is that they are specifically designed to protect against certain bacteria, viruses or other various types of harmful or unwanted organisms when used correctly. To make sure that these biocidal products do not pose unacceptable risks for people, non-target animals and the environment, they are regulated to control their marketing, sale and use in order to minimise any risk.

All biocidal products can only be distributed and used in Ireland if they have been registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Please see below a list of frequently asked questions on hand sanitisers and how to check if the products are safe to use.

Q1:  What can I do to ensure the hand sanitiser I use is safe?

Hand sanitisers must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine before being placed on the market. When you are buying a product the key point to check is does the product label have a PCS or IE/BPA or EU registration number.

To check if a biocide product is legally placed on the Irish market, search our product registers at http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/registers/biocidalproductregisters/.

Q2:  What registration number should I be looking for?

Any product registered with the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine will have a registration number listed on the label. These are usually displayed in the following formats PCS 9XXXX, PCS 100XXX, IE/BPA 70XXX or EU 00XXXXX-00XX

Q3:  Where is the registration number printed on the label, what should it say and what should it look like?

The registration number is typically on the back of the label under the safety information box on the bottom right hand corner. It may appear in a different part of the label and it should state either a PCS or an IE/BPA or an EU number.

Q4:  What should I do if I have a sanitiser that is not on the official register?

In the case of products that are not properly registered, there is no reason to believe that the failure to obtain a registration gives rise of itself to specific concerns in relation to safety or efficacy. For this reason, the Department is not requiring members of the public to dispose of such products already in their possession. People are, however, advised to ensure that future purchases bear a registration number (see question 1 above).  

Q5:  I have been using a product that is not listed on your register – is this dangerous and should I seek medical advice?

In the case of products that are not properly registered, there is no reason to believe that the failure to obtain a registration gives rise of itself to specific concerns in relation to safety or efficacy. For this reason, the Department is not requiring members of the public to dispose of such products already in their possession. People are, however, advised to ensure that future purchases bear a registration number (see the response to question 1 above).  

Depending on the individual, it is possible that you could experience a reaction to using any product.  If this happens, you should cease using the product in question, and if necessary, seek professional medical attention.  You should purchase biocidal hand products that are labelled with the appropriate registration number.

Q6:  Where can I find a list of suppliers and products approved by the Department of Education for use in schools?

The Department of Education have circulated a list of biocidal products included on the Education Sector PPE Procurement Agreement to all schools. Details of this can found on the Department of Education website

https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2020-press-releases/PR20-10-29.html

Q7:         What checks does the Department carry out on sanitisers?

The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine implements the Biocidal Product Regulation (EU No. 528/2012) to ensure that biocidal products placed on the Irish market are safe for humans, animals and the environment. Companies that wish to place biocides on the Irish market must register their products with the Department. 

  • When applying to register a product the applicant must submit the following information: Information on the active substance in the product
  • Information on all other ingredients contained in the product
  • Safety data sheets for the final product and ingredients
  • A proposed label that will be used when the product is placed on the market

Checks are then carried out on products to ensure:

  1. That the correct active substance(s) is used in the product
  2. That the correct amount of active substance(s) is used in the product
  3. That the product label has appropriate instructions for use, a valid registration number and meets with all Department requirements

The Department is continuing to increase its testing of product on the market to provide reassurance in relation to compliance with approved product specifications. 

Q8:  Do antibacterial wipes need to be approved by the Department?

Antibacterial wipes which have a primary biocidal function are required to be registered and have a PCS or an IE/BPA or an EU number on the product label to show that they are compliant with requirements and have been placed on the Biocidal Product Register.

Q9:  Do all detergent products need to be approved by the Department?

No, some products which do not have a primary biocidal function such as cleaners or normal soaps do not need to be approved by this Department. However, any product placed on the market with the intention of destroying, deterring, rendering harmless, preventing the action of or otherwise exerting a controlling effect on harmful organisms by means other than mere physical or mechanical would be considered a biocide and must be registered with this Department. Such products include antibacterial wipes, hand sanitisers, disinfectant products and surface sanitisers used to control harmful organisms.

Q10:  Does the Department have a complete list of registered hand sanitisers available for me to look up?

 A consolidated list of currently registered hand sanitisers can be found on the biocide registers on our website:

http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/registers/biocidalproductregisters/.