On Tuesday, 20th of May A.I.S.E. organised a Dinner Debate at the European Parliament on the question of ethanol’s applications and their crucial role in Europe and worldwide.
The evening served as a timely reminder of ethanol’s broad-spectrum antiseptic and disinfection capabilities, especially in controlling infections. It also shed light on the potential consequences of reclassifying ethanol as a carcinogen and reprotoxic (CMR) substance, an action that could lead to a de facto ban on its use in the general public and could impact many other sectors such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The dinner debate showcased the perspectives of institutional and industry stakeholders on ethanol’s role in EU citizens’ daily lives and its contribution to the European economy’s competitiveness.
The event was hosted by Christine Singer MEP (Renew/DE), co-hosted by Andreas Glück MEP (Renew/DE), facilitated by Nicole Vaini, A.I.S.E. Head of EU Affairs and organised in collaboration with PubAffairs – EU Debates, News & Opinions.
We welcomed a distinguished panel of speakers:
- Alexis Van Maercke highlighted the importance of ethanol in the detergent and cleaning sector and the significant risks posed by its potential classification.
- Dr Alexandra Peters emphasised ethanol’s critical role in healthcare, particularly in ensuring effective hand hygiene.
- Dr Raffaella Perrone discussed the active substances approval process, the importance of ethanol for the Italian Ministry of Health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and the broader impact of reclassification.
- Dr Vera Ritz explored the distinction between risk and hazard and the consequences of hazard-based exclusion criteria in biocides.
- Dr Andreea Capilna underlined the need for effective and accessible disinfection methods like ethanol in healthcare settings.
Discover the event highlights on PubAffairs website.
In collaboration with The Parliament Magazine, A.I.S.E. published an article about the importance of ethanol’s applications in Europe and worldwide, and why this topic is so important for public health and safety, including a statement from MEP Christine Singer: “A ban on ethanol in detergents would be a massive setback – for product safety, innovation, and sustainability. Ethanol performs important functions such as stabilising and sanitising formulations. Instead of blanket and undifferentiated bans, we need a fact-based discussion and intelligent solutions that protect both consumers and the environment.”
Read the full article on The Parliament website.
Learn more about ethanol on our website.