Fake NEWS N°1
"If the consumer does not find on the label of a hydro-alcoholic product the mention of the EN 14476 standard, the product is not effective against viruses".
At the beginning of March 2020, in response to the rapid shortage of hydro-alcoholic gels and solutions, a decree dated 13 March 2020 introduced derogations to the European regulation of biocidal products. It allowed many actors to quickly put hydro-alcoholic gels and solutions on the market, to supply health personnel, professionals and their employees. Pharmacists and the cosmetics industry were urgently called upon.
- The 4 formulas authorized by the decree have been validated by the Directorate General of Health and are exactly the same effectiveness as the products manufactured according to the biocide regulation (EU) No. 528/2012 on which are mentioned the standard EN 14476.
- Strict and mandatory labeling rules are mentioned in the decree. Therefore, it is forbidden to refer to the EN 14476 standard which does not apply to these 4 formulas. The mention that must appear is, depending on the formula, "Hydro-alcoholic solution recommended by the World Health Organization for hand antisepsis" or "Hydro-alcoholic gel for hand antisepsis - derogatory order".
Fake NEWS N°2
"On the hydro-alcoholic products according to the decree of March 13, there is no mention of the alcoholic degree on the label, which means that they are not disinfectants.
The hydroalcoholic gels and solutions manufactured in accordance with this derogation order are disinfectant, bactericide and virucide biocides, and not cosmetic products.
Originally, the decree of March 13 did not provide for the labeling of the alcoholic degree, but for the sake of consumer information, from May 31, 2020, the products will have to visibly mention the percentage of alcohol (Order of April 17, 2020 - JORF No. 0097 published April 21, 2020). A product that displays an alcohol content of 65 %v/v minimum, is a disinfectant product, active on bacteria and viruses.
