The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the release of new interim guidance designed to expand the availability of virucidal claims for antimicrobial pesticides. This significant regulatory update provides manufacturers with a clearer framework for adding virus-killing claims to products that meet certain disinfectant or sanitiser standards. The interim guidance will allow these claims to be valid for up to 10 years, after which a review will determine the policy’s future.
The EPA’s decision stems from a broader need to enhance public access to effective virus-fighting products, particularly in light of ongoing global health concerns such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new rules, products that qualify as bactericidal disinfectants or sanitisers may now add claims that they are also effective against viruses. This includes viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen responsible for COVID-19, as well as others that pose significant health risks in both public and private settings.
Expansion of Claims to Include Viruses
Historically, the EPA has only approved virucidal claims for specific antimicrobial products, particularly those used in sterilisation or disinfection processes. Sanitisers, which are often used in less intensive cleaning applications, have generally not been allowed to make such claims. However, under the new interim guidance, sanitiser products can now include virucidal claims, provided they meet the necessary testing requirements.
The EPA's updated framework outlines the test methods and performance standards that products must meet to claim efficacy against viruses. These standards remain consistent with existing guidelines, ensuring no reduction in the product's ability to eliminate viruses on hard, non-porous surfaces. According to the EPA, this guidance will lead to the availability of more products that not only disinfect effectively but do so with reduced contact times – the period in which the surface must remain wet for the product to be effective.
10-Year Timeframe and Potential Policy Changes
This interim guidance will be in effect for a maximum period of 10 years, during which the EPA will evaluate its effectiveness. Before the conclusion of this period, the agency will review data on product performance and consumer safety to decide whether the policy should be extended, modified, or made permanent. If necessary, the EPA will issue further revisions based on these findings, particularly if scientific advancements or public health concerns demand adjustments.
In issuing this guidance, the EPA has ensured that no significant changes to testing protocols are needed, meaning that manufacturers will not face additional burdens to meet the updated claims. Products that meet the criteria for bactericidal efficacy can be expanded to include virucidal claims without diminishing their overall effectiveness. The guidance also reiterates that these products can be used in various settings, including residential, commercial, and institutional environments such as schools, hospitals, and cafeterias.
Potential Benefits for Consumers and the Environment
A key benefit of the new EPA guidance is that it offers the potential for more virus-effective products that also meet environmental standards. Many of the products expected to carry these expanded claims will appear on the EPA’s "Design for the Environment" list, highlighting their reduced impact on human health and the environment. This list is part of the EPA’s ongoing effort to promote safer, greener chemicals in everyday products. The expanded availability of virucidal claims is expected to increase the variety of environmentally friendly products that consumers can choose from, especially those that offer faster disinfection times.
By allowing sanitisers to carry virucidal claims, the EPA aims to provide more flexibility for consumers and businesses alike. This is particularly important in high-traffic areas such as restaurants, schools, and healthcare facilities, where the quick elimination of harmful viruses is crucial for public health. The guidance enables a wider array of products to be labelled as effective against viruses, thereby helping to curb the spread of contagious diseases.
EPA’s Authority and Public Input
The EPA has issued this guidance under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which grants the agency authority over the regulation of pesticides and antimicrobial products in the United States. The guidance was shaped in part by public comments received in response to a draft framework published in 2023. Stakeholders, including industry groups, health organisations, and public interest bodies, provided feedback that helped refine the final version of the guidance.
Although this is an interim policy, it marks a significant step in broadening the scope of products that can help prevent the spread of viruses. As public health concerns evolve, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EPA’s move to expand virucidal claims offers a timely and practical solution for reducing viral transmission in everyday settings.
