Whether in the metro, at the hospital, in day nurseries or other public bodies, for a professional or strictly personal use, hydroalcoholic products have long been available on the market. And although they are intended for the skin, they are not considered as cosmetic products under Regulation (EC) 1223/2009. Corinne Benoliel, of Institut Scientis, gave us a few explanations.
Hydroalcoholic products (lotions and gels), cleansing gels with an antimicrobial activity… they are all intended to be applied more or less frequently on the skin.
Skin purposes… does that mean they are cosmetic products? That is a logical reaction. But it also means you are not familiar with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products.
Indeed, among the different products at stake in this text, type 1 corresponds to ‘biocidal products used for human hygiene purposes (…) for the primary purpose of disinfecting the skin or scalp.’
The different players in the debate
Microorganisms
Infinitely small and ubiquitous, they remain with us all our lives…
Both protective and/or pathogenic, sometimes opportunistic in a failing immune system, they breathe, multiply very quickly, and invade any type of inert or living material. Naturally present in our environment, they can generate various infections and conditions depending on the cases and backgrounds.
Our handling of these invaders with which we cohabit is related in particular to basic hygiene measures and to the use of efficient biocidal products.
Biocides
To fight against undesirable microorganisms, chemicals with an antimicrobial activity get through their membranes, disturb their metabolisms, …
