Brussels, Belgium – 27 November 2025
Yesterday, on 26 November 2025, ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) met in Helsinki to discuss the proposed classification of ethanol as a Carcinogenic and Reproductive Toxicant Category 1A. Due to a lack of consensus, the Committee did not reach a conclusion, postponing any decision until at least May 2026.
A.I.S.E. recognises and appreciates the careful consideration shown by Member States. Their choice to seek further examination, rather than endorse a flawed classification, demonstrates a responsible commitment to due diligence on an issue with profound public health and economic consequences.
We regret, however, this missed opportunity to reaffirm confidence in ethanol as an essential, safe, and irreplaceable ingredient in the biocidal products used every day across Europe’s homes, hospitals, workplaces, and critical industries. Almost 1,100 organisations, companies, and health professionals have already endorsed ethanol’s vital role as an active substance by signing our joint statement and numbers keep increasing[1].
Ethanol-based biocides remain Europe’s first line of defence against infections, including the estimated 3.5 million Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) occurring every year across the EU/EEA, resulting in more than 90,000 deaths[2]. Ethanol offers protection against HAIs, seasonal flu, COVID-19, and other pathogens – a role that no alternative substance can replicate in terms of efficacy, safety, availability, and cost-effectiveness.
A.I.S.E. urges the European Commission and Member States to choose a path forward that does not undermine the essential use of ethanol for professionals and for the general public keeping in mind:
- Exposure routes relevant to real-world use of biocidal products and not alcohol abuse or overconsumption
- The absence of viable alternatives
- The significant socio-economic and public health impacts of any restriction
We remain fully engaged, together with our stakeholders and supporters across Europe, through the #HandsUpForEthanol campaign. Maintaining access to ethanol is essential for infection prevention, supply chain resilience, and Europe’s readiness for future public health emergencies. We call on each of you to keep engaging with our campaign and to continue outreach to European and national authorities.
A.I.S.E. and its partners stand ready to work constructively with EU and national authorities to protect the continued use of ethanol – a safe, essential, and life-saving substance on which Europe’s public health and economic security depend.
Please keep in touch: https://aise.eu/handsupforethanol/
Join the conversation on LinkedIn #HandsUpForEthanol
[1] https://aise.eu/handsupforethanol/act-now-future-ethanol-based-biocidal-products/
[2] European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Healthcare-associated infections, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, <https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthcare-associated-infections> [accessed 17 October 2025].