EU Considers Ethanol Ban in Hand Sanitizers Due to Cancer Risk Concerns: What You Need to Know

Oct 21, 2025 03:26 pm CST

The European Union is evaluating a potential ban on ethanol in hand sanitizers after an ECHA working group flagged it as potentially carcinogenic. The Biocidal Products Committee will meet in November to discuss this issue, with the final decision resting with the European Commission. Despite these concerns, the WHO currently classifies ethanol as safe for hand hygiene purposes.