The Financial Times reported that the European Union is considering banning ethanol as an active ingredient in hand sanitizers and other biocidal products, following expert warnings linking it to possible cancer risks and pregnancy complications.

According to the report, an internal working group within the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) issued a preliminary recommendation on October 10 stating that ethanol may be classified as a toxic substance with carcinogenic potential, urging its replacement in cleaning and disinfection products.

The Biocidal Products Committee of ECHA is expected to meet between November 25 and 28 to review the available scientific evidence before submitting a final recommendation to the European Commission, which will decide whether to maintain or restrict ethanol’s use in the EU market.

ECHA confirmed in a statement to Reuters that the agency is currently assessing ethanol’s safety as a biocidal agent, emphasizing that no final conclusions have been reached yet.

If the committee determines that ethanol can cause cancer or harm reproductive health, it will recommend substituting the compound with safer alternatives. However, the evaluation process is ongoing and remains inconclusive.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to classify both ethanol and isopropanol as safe for hand hygiene, underscoring the ongoing debate among global health authorities regarding their long-term safety.

This discussion comes amid increasing public concern over chemical exposure from frequent sanitizer use, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, as EU regulators seek to balance health safety with economic impact before issuing a final decision.