EPA Provides Updates to Disinfectant Policy to Align with CDC Science

Last year, EPA activated its Emerging Viral Pathogens policy to help minimize disruptions in the disinfectant supply chain by updating protocols, providing regulatory flexibility and providing pathways for expedited review of antimicrobial products. Currently more than 500 products are listed on EPA’s List N, for use against SAR-CoV-2, the pathogen that causes COVID-19. Based on recent guidance from CDC indicating that the risk of being infected with COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces is considered low, EPA is no longer prioritizing public health emergency requests or for new products intended for addressing surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2. EPA will no longer expedite new product registrations, emerging viral pathogen claims, SARS-CoV-2 claims, and electrostatic spraying directions for products intended to kill SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces.