Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
released an advisory statement addressing concerns surrounding disinfectant products claiming to kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The advisory clarified that products making antimicrobial claims in general or specific claims regarding SARS-CoV-2 must submit detailed data to the Agency demonstrating that the product does not cause unreasonable adverse effects to human health or the environment and must be able to demonstrate efficacy against the targeted pathogen. The advisory notice was prompted by numerous complaints to the Agency about unregistered products being sold that are making false or misleading claims regarding SARS-CoV-2. The statement further advised that EPA is coordinating with the U.S. Department of Justice and other federal partners to bring the full force of the law against those selling or otherwise distributing violative products.