Biocide under transitional Legislation - Biocides

>“Hand wash gels” with solely a cleansing no-rinse activity, purifying hand lotions, gels, lotions and sanitizing

sprays, wipes or hand soap rolls, including those sold in pharmacies or parapharmacies, they classify them-

selves as cosmetic products and do not guarantee any disinfection action. They must follow the provisions

of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 mentioned above.

>Gels, hand wash lotions or sprays and other products that have a bactericidal or germicidal action on the

label, or, more generally, a claim to disinfect skin, must comply with provisions of the national legislation

relating to PMC or BPR and, therefore, be authorized. In these products, biocidal function is considered

the main function in relation to which cosmetic function (e.g. moisturizing, emollient, nourishing, perfuming,

refreshing, etc.) becomes secondary.

Disinfect and disinfectant

A substance/mixture of a chemical nature that reduces the amount of potential pathogens (such as bacte-

ria, fungi, or viruses). They are products to be applied on inanimate objects (surfaces, textiles), water tre-

atment products, products for the disinfection of human skin or for use in the veterinary field (disinfection

of udders of dairy animals, hooves, etc.). Operation carried out with products composed of chemicals that

act physically and mechanically for the removal of dirt by exerting a mere mechanical action on harmful

organisms removing them from the treated surface, exerting a sanitizing action. Without indication of the

specific authorization above, they are not to be regarded as products with disinfectant/biocidal properties,

but are cleaners (sanitizer for environments) or cosmetic (skin sanitizer) and as such placed on the market

as free sale products that have not undergone the process of evaluation and authorization of PMC/biocidal

products. They cannot have disinfecting action, the term sanitizing therefore, is used to identify a product

that has as its purpose to make hygienic, or clean by eliminating harmful substances (in part also microor-

ganisms) present.

Debacterize

Although seldom used in the Italian language, the term is widely used to understand in a general sense the

operations aimed at removing bacteria from a surface.

Decontaminate

It is a method provided for by Ministerial Decree 28/09/90 “Norm of protection against

professional HIV contagion in public and private health and welfare facilities”.

It is a procedure that aims to reduce the load of pathogens on the surfaces of the Biocide under transitional

Legislation used, reducing the biological risk for operators.

Cleanse and cleaner

Clean, applies to all actions aimed at removing dirt, and also concerns personal hygiene. Regulation (EC)

648/2004. Article 2.1 of Regulation (EC) 648/2004 defines as “cleaner”: “any substance or mixture contai-

ning soaps and/or other surfactants intended for washing and cleaning activities”. Cleaners are also referred

to as “auxiliary washing preparations“ intended for soaking (pre-washing), rinsing or bleaching of clothing,

household linen, etc.; “fabric softeners for textiles“ intended to modify touch feeling of fabrics in processes

complementary to their washing; “preparations for cleaning“ for general household cleaning products and/or

other products surface cleaning (e.g. materials, products, machinery, mechanical appliances, means of tran-

sport and related equipment, instruments, devices, etc.); “other cleaning and washing preparations” intended

for all other washing and cleaning activities. Cleaners can be in any form (liquid, powder, paste, bars, pieces

and cast items, etc.) and are marketed and used at domestic, industrial or institutional level. They are products

frequently used in our daily life, used to remove dirt from surfaces, fabrics, etc. Their ability to remove dirt is

due to the presence of surfactants, substances capable of weakening the forces that bind to each other two

liquids or a liquid and a solid and that make dirt resistant to removal. The removal of dirt by mechanical or

physical action can also be applied to potentially harmful organisms and in the context of this function, they

can also exert a sanitizing action.

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