INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has registered an exponential demand for hand disinfectants, given that unclean hands are considered one of the main sources of virus and disease transmission.  Various products have entered the market to address the ongoing pandemic; however, consumers have sometimes mistakenly perceived some of these products as disinfectants or as having virucidal efficacy while they only have cosmetic-grade effectiveness.

This article is intended as a guide for Ecolab customers in the commercial and industrial sectors and for consumers to select high-quality, effective, and skin-friendly hand disinfectant products for their consumers and employees.

OVERVIEW OF DISINFECTION AND DISINFECTANT PRODUCTS

Products with bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal or any other efficacy against microorganisms, are identified as Biocides in Turkey. These products are regulated by special regulatory processes, which means they must first be evaluated and verified for effectiveness, safety, and compliance by the Titck - Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency for hand sanitizers/ disinfectants and by General Directorate of Public Health for surface disinfectants to then receive an authorization from Ministry of Health, before they are introduced into the market. The reference legislation for biocide products in Turkey is the Biocidal Products Regulation published on 31 December 2009 by the Ministry of Health.

BIOCIDE PRODUCT LABELS

The label must be in accordance with the qualifications specified in the Product Label Example in Annex-XII and be approved by the Ministry. In the labeling of the biocidal product, the label applications of the Regulation on Classification, Labeling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures and the additional label applications in the Biocidal Product Regulation are applied together.

In a way that will cause deception of the consumer regarding the purpose and characteristics of the biocidal product and thus create an exaggerated impression of the product; It is forbidden to give false, misleading, or incomplete information and to hide the true qualities of the product. In addition, it is forbidden to include expressions such as 'low risk biocidal product', 'non-toxic', 'harmless' on the label of the biocidal product.

Under the provisions of the Biocidal Products Regulation for Biocides published by Ministry of Health, commercial product labels must contain the necessary information to warn users of possible danger and the consequent steps to manage the associated risks of the misuse of products. 

Below are the required components that must be declared in clear and indelibly Turkish and/or any other languages:

• Product Name and descriptive definitions of the product: a trademark or trade name cannot be used to replace the name of the biocidal product.
• License holder's name or title, address, and telephone number.
• Manufacturer details: name, address, web address of manufacturer acting in Turkey.
• Ingredients: the identity of each active ingredient with its respective concentration in metric units.
• License or registration number issued in Turkey.
• Type of mixture: Liquid, granules, powders, solids.
• Size or weight of the product: must be clearly indicated on the product in metric units.
• Storage Condition: to be clearly indicated mentioning any additional storage conditions beyond the normally required conditions.
• Usage Instructions: for each use and dose amounts to be used in metric units.
• Intended use
• Possible undesirable direct or indirect side effects.
• First aid instructions
• If a brochure is given next to the biocidal product, the phrase "read the instructions for use before use".
• Instructions for the safe disposal and packaging of the biocidal product, as well as for the prevention of reuse of the packaging.
• Production and Expiry date valid under normal storage conditions: must be clearly indicated on the label.
• Batch Number: Batch or lot identification number to be indicated clearly on the label.
• The time required for the biocidal product to be effective in its use, the waiting time required for its reapplication.
• The time interval between the first use of the product and its next use, or the appropriate timing for the next entry of humans and animals into the area where the biocidal product is used.
• User categories that are suitable to use the biocidal product.
• Information on potential hazards in the environment, in particular information on the protection of non-target organisms and the prevention of water pollution.
• The warning statements in the safety data sheet must also be on the label.
• Verbal, written and visual publications that may cause wrong interpretations and applications, contrary to the information on the approved label, cannot be made for the purpose of promoting a biocidal product.
• Hazard and Precautionary Statements and CLP pictograms of the Product according to the Regulation on Classification, Labeling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures.

EFFECTIVENESS OF BIOCIDE PRODUCTS

Biocide products act against viruses, in addition to having bacterial and/or fungicide action. Most products on the market have an Ethyl Alcohol basis, the percentage of which is indicated on the label. There is a range of Alcohol concentration which is considered optimal for the product to be effective, and this percentage is at least 70 percent of weight or higher. The concentration of Ethanol in a product can be indicated in volume or weight. If the percentage is indicated in volume of Alcohol per formulation volume (v/v), this will be less than the corresponding percentage indicated in weight/weight (w/w), because the density of Ethyl Alcohol is less than 1 g /cm3. For this reason, it is recommended to express concentration in a w/w formula because the weight factor, unlike volume, cannot be affected by temperature, specific weight, and concentration of reaction. It is important to verify that in the composition of the product, the indication of the presence of Ethyl Alcohol is indicated in weight and not in volume to ensure the correct concentration in the product.

OUR POSITION AT ECOLAB

Ecolab has always been committed to ensuring public health through hygiene and disinfection of environments, operating in a wide range of institutional and industrial sectors, from healthcare, hospitality, and catering to industrial manufacturing processes in the food, cosmetics, automotive industries, working with three million customers in more than 170 countries around the world.

How products are manufactured is crucial to determining the quality that customers will ultimately receive. Our production facilities around the world are controlled by documented quality assurance systems to ensure the production processes and end results. The raw materials and end products are subject to strict quality controls, with specifications on the quality and quantity of the ingredients that are used in their make-up. And the manufacturing of products for institutional, industrial and Healthcare sectors draws on the long experience and knowledge of hospital-grade standards for hygiene and disinfection. 

Our products help clean and disinfect more than 40 billion hands every year to prevent the spread of infections and other diseases. Our hospital-grade products are used by thousands of healthcare facilities across the globe. All our products have a high level of effectiveness, and our hand disinfectants are superior to generic consumer products, as they offer excellent effectiveness in short application times. 

Developed with the prospect of high-frequency use, our products are formulated with delicate ingredients, gentle on the skin that hydrate and protect hands, preventing the risk of allergies and sensitivities - which would make it problematic or impossible to continue sanitizing hands effectively. For instance, the presence of fragrance in a product increases the risk of allergy in a professional environment, where exposure to the product can be up to 20 times more frequent than in a non-professional environment.

Partnering with Ecolab 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ecolab’s production was increased worldwide to meet the short and long-term needs of our customers in all sectors. Our personal hygiene solutions can complement your current package of products and services and will help further improve your operational efficiency by ensuring employee safety and health. Ecolab's strength and size offer a unique positioning to meet the needs of customers in any operating sector, with considerable experience in research and development, regulation and quality, which guarantees the delivery of high-quality products.

CONCLUSION

The choice of disinfectant products should consider its effectiveness as a basic factor and also offer guarantees on compatibility with the skin and a general simplicity and pleasantness of use. A product formulation that balances these elements effectively is the best way to achieve the goal of high compliance and standards. It is important for operators and consumers to be aware of product differences to be able to choose the best products available on the market. 

Together we can work beyond the basic regulatory requirements to make education and awareness the essential pillars for a new hygiene culture. The importance of hand disinfection and the dissemination of high standards of compliance in facilities with regard to products, quality and effectiveness are fundamental to public well-being and safety. If we add ease of use, users’ acceptability and pleasantness on the skin, we realize how such additional elements can positively contribute to the creation of new and healthy habits for the well-being and safety of all.

Sources:

• Ministry of Health – Biocidal Products Regulation.

APPENDIX: HAND HYGIENE

National and international institutions agree on the fundamental importance of careful and frequent hand hygiene through careful washing with soap and water, or with a hand disinfectant, if water is not available.

Download the infographic displaying the effective procedure for hand washing and hand rubbing.