PPB November 2020

A ntimicrobial products are intended to disinfect, sanitize, reduce or mitigate the spread or development of microbiological organisms, including bacteria, viruses, protozoans and fungi, such as mold andmildew. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates antimicrobial products as drugs or antiseptics intended for use on or in the body, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates antimicrobial products as pesticides for use on inanimate objects or surfaces such as kitchen counters, toys or grocery carts. This article focuses on those products regulated by the EPA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) detailing the applicable regulations and labeling requirements, the exceptions and the potential challenges for companies navigating compliance and the demand for safe products during the current pandemic. Antimicrobials And Consumer Products Subject To EPA Guidelines FIFRA: Originally passed into law in 1947, FIFRA was enacted as a “truth in labeling” law. It standardized the information required to submit a new pesticide for market approval in the United States, testing standards and established standards for labeling. FIFRA has subsequently been amended to require registration of all pesticides, including antimicrobial pesticides. Antimicrobials: All antimicrobial pesticides require registration with the EPA and in every state in which they are distributed. These products are evaluated based on their chemistry, toxicology, product The Real Facts On Antimicrobial Products The current pandemic has increased public awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy environment, which includes controlling and eliminating harmful germs— whether those germs are on a product or a person. Here’s where antimicrobial products fit in and what you need to know about them. by D.E. Fenton Anton27 / Shutterstock.com 64 | NOVEMBER 2020 | THINK