Deadline extensions
US
The US EPA has extended by a month the public comment period on a supplement to its controversial ‘science transparency’ proposal. The extension comes after the agency received a deluge of comments from public advocacy groups, state environmental agencies and individual citizens calling on it to delay or abandon its rulemaking amid the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.
Comments on the ‘Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science' supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) will be accepted until 18 May.
US
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has postponed, until further notice, a public hearing on its agenda and priorities for fiscal years 2021-22. Written comments will now be accepted until 1 May.
Relaxed regulations and implemented derogations
Denmark
Denmark has updated its guide on the legal marketing of hand disinfectants with further details on product information requirements and the use of ethanol as the biocidal active substance.
The EPA recommends that disinfectant manufacturers use food-grade ethanol to keep impurities at a minimum. Ethanol-based products will be considered effective against coronavirus Covid-19 if they adhere to the Danish medical laboratory Statens Serum Institut’s recommendations for the minimum percentage of alcohol. In addition, products must not contain any additives that could reduce efficacy.
Sweden
Sweden has relaxed its labelling rules for hand sanitisers, in addition to other measures aimed at easing market access for disinfectants. The Swedish chemicals agency (Kemi) will accept labels and safety data sheets in Danish, English and Norwegian, rather than in Swedish only. The exemption comes into force on 9 April and applies for a year.
Germany
Germany has exempted some surface disinfectants from product authorisation requirements, under the biocidal products Regulation’s (BPR) Article 55 derogation. The exemption covers products containing:
- ethanol (80% volume per volume for the treatment of surfaces up 2m² in size);
- chloramine-T (2.5% weight by weight); and
- sodium hypochlorite (0.5% w/w).
It applies until 30 September.
EU
The European Commission and Echa have published a list of contacts at the competent authorities for biocides in each EU/EEA member state that are responsible for applying the biocidal products Regulation (BPR) during the pandemic. Companies can use the email addresses and phone numbers to enquire about placing disinfectants on the market and how to make use of the derogations that the individual member states are implementing.
US
The US EPA has expanded its List N: disinfectants for use against coronavirus Covid-19 to include products on two other agency lists:
- List G: products effective against norovirus; and
- List L: products effective against the Ebola virus.
These products also meet the criteria for use against Covid-19, the agency said. Previously, all products on List N had to have either an EPA emerging viral pathogen claim or demonstrated efficacy against another human coronavirus.
The agency has also updated List N to include the types of surfaces and sites these products can be used on. And it has updated the FAQ about disinfectants related to coronavirus with new information on their safety, efficacy, enforcement activities and pesticide devices.
US
A group of Democratic senators has pressed the US EPA for details on how it plans to continue completing its core work while protecting its employees against the spread of Covid-19.
They have asked the agency to respond to several questions by 1 May so they can understand "whether EPA’s essential functions and response role remain intact in the current Covid-19 pandemic and whether the [continuity of operations] plan is sufficient to address the current situation."
Supply-chain concerns
Germany
The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) has set up a helpdesk to support member companies with Covid-19 related queries. The VCI is also sending a newsletter several times a week providing advice and has started a webinar series. The latter addresses issues such as financial aid, tax, logistics and recommendations for action for chemical plants.
Get in touch
How is Covid-19 affecting you, your team and your organisation? We would like to hear about your needs, views and experiences during the pandemic, to understand how it's affecting your day-to-day work, and to ensure we are taking the right steps to meet your needs. Please get in touch with us at covid19@chemicalwatch.com.