FT reports that EU is considering a ban on ethanol in hand sanitisers due to cancer concerns

Financial Times reported that the EU was considering classifying ethanol as a harmful substance, which increases cancer risk.

The FT reported that an internal recommendation made on 10 October by one of the ECHA working groups flagged ethanol, a substance toxic, as a substance which increases the risk of pregnancy complications and cancer. It was recommended to replace ethanol in cleaning products and other products.

The Biocidal Products Committee of the ECHA will meet from November 25 to November 28.

The FT reported that if the regulator's expert committee "concludes ethanol is cancerous", they would recommend its replacement. However, the final decision will be taken by the European Commission.

The European Chemicals Agency didn't immediately respond to an 'ask for comment.

The agency said to the FT that ethanol could "still be approved for intended biocidal use, if they are considered safe based on expected exposure levels or if no alternative is found", stressing that a decision has not yet been taken.

Both ethanol and isopropanol are classified as safe by the World Health Organization for use in hand hygiene. (Reporting and editing by Jamie Freed, Kate Mayberry and Disha Mishra from Bengaluru)

(source: Reuters)