The European Union is considering classifying ethanol, a key ingredient in hand sanitisers and other biocidal products, as a dangerous substance due to potential links to cancer and pregnancy complications, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, an internal recommendation from a working group within the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on October 10 flagged ethanol as toxic and suggested that it should be replaced in cleaning and disinfectant products.
The ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee is scheduled to meet between November 25 and 27 to discuss the issue.
In a statement to Reuters, the ECHA confirmed it is currently assessing ethanol’s safety in biocidal applications. The regulator noted that if its expert committee finds ethanol to have carcinogenic or reproductive health risks, it would recommend substituting the substance in relevant products.
However, the agency stressed that assessments are still underway and no final conclusions have been reached. The European Commission will make the ultimate decision based on the committee’s scientific opinion.
Despite the ongoing review, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to classify ethanol and isopropanol as safe and effective for hand hygiene, particularly in healthcare and public settings.
EU and US Reach Deal on 15% Tariff to End Trade Dispute
In a separate development, the United States and the European Union have struck a trade agreement that will see EU exports subjected to a 15% tariff, easing tensions in a long-running transatlantic trade dispute that risked escalating into a trade war.
The deal was finalized during a meeting between US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Trump’s golf resort in Scotland.
Describing the accord as “the biggest-ever,” Trump said the agreement was reached within an hour as both sides raced to meet an August 1 deadline that would have triggered a 30% blanket tariff on European goods.
“We’ve reached a deal. It’s a good deal for everybody. This is probably the biggest deal ever reached in any capacity,” Trump told reporters after the meeting.
The agreement marks a significant step toward stabilizing trade relations between Washington and Brussels following months of tariff threats and economic uncertainty.
