Important information about hand sanitisers

It has been brought to our attention by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) that some pharmacies are selling hand sanitisers that are specifically targeted at children.

Legislation (Article 69 of the Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products) specifies that biocidal products shall not be attractive to children. Hand sanitisers that make general claims in relation to an antibacterial action or killing of germs are classified as biocidal products. All superintendent pharmacists and supervising pharmacists should check their stock and ensure that any hand sanitiser targeted at children is not sold in their pharmacy.

In addition, the DAFM would like to remind pharmacists that the list of all approved hand sanitisers is available on the DAFM website. The Department along with the HSE ask consumers to be vigilant of counterfeit hand sanitisers and disinfectants. These products may not contain enough alcohol to kill/remove germs and could put health at risk. Please make sure that all sanitisers and disinfectants carry either a PCS 9xxxx, PCS 1xxxxx or IE/BPA 7xxxx Number on the label. If the product label does not contain a PCS Number or an IE/BPA Number, the product should not be purchased.

Retailers should check that products are approved for sale before purchasing and selling these products. Anyone who becomes aware of unauthorised products being offered for sale should contact biocide-enforcement@agriculture.gov.ie.