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Quats are on their way! Are your disinfectant products ready?

Quats are present in many disinfectant products commonly used. The approval deadline of two of them is close.

The Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) will discuss two widely used active substances, also known as quats (quaternary ammonium compounds), at the BCP 41 meeting end of November 2021.
The actives are DDAC and ADBAC. A favourable opinion on them was issued at the end of 2020, for product type (PT) 3 and PT4. BPC 41 will discuss PT1 and PT2.

Planning your registration strategy is becoming urgent!

DDAC (Didecyldimethylammonium chloride) and ADBAC (Alkyl (C12- 16) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride) are disinfectants that are well known and widely used both by professionals and the general public. They are quite efficacious against bacteria, yeasts and enveloped viruses, both in clean and dirty conditions. For these reasons, they can be used as one stop solution for cleaning and disinfection.

It is quite common for suppliers to have a vast portfolio of products containing these active ingredients. Some of their formulations will be similar to one another; some others will be quite different. When a portfolio comprises many products with similar compositions, uses, efficacies and risks, it is possible to save time and money by grouping them in a Biocidal Product Family (BPF). On the other hand, when products have different characteristics, it is possible to apply for authorisation of single products.

In any case, preparation is a long procedure, it will be necessary to

  1. Select the products that are your core business and focus on them.
  2. Update the formulations when necessary (old formulations can have a harsh classification or are not efficacious enough to fulfil the requirements of the new standards).
  3. Create the BPF and get a preliminary approval from the evaluating competent authority (eCA).
  4. Perform a data gap analysis and find labs with enough capability and experience to work on the tests required.
  5. Perform a risk assessment (human health and environment).
  6. Create a IUCLID dossier and a Draft Risk Assessment report.
  7. Submit the dossier and follow up with the eCA requests.

The full procedure requires years, so it is better to start now because laboratories and consultancies will be very busy in dealing with the requests on such widely used products.

Our knoell Biocides experts can support you throughout the procedure, providing strategy advices, documentation, study monitoring, preparing of the dossier, submission and follow up with the authorities - just contact us!

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Photo of Deirdre Lawler
Deirdre Lawler
Head of Biocides