Disinfectant Use and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

EPA reviews and registers antimicrobial pesticides, which include disinfectants for use on pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. View frequent questions about disinfectants and Coronavirus (COVID-19).

• Timeline of disinfectant response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Ensuring availability of disinfectants
• Taking action against fraudulent products

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Timeline of EPA Disinfectant Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

EPA has been working to ensure that American families, communities, businesses, hospitals, and others are aware of and have access to effective surface disinfectant products to use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. 

• As part of the Federal Government’s efforts to minimize risks to its citizens, in January 2020 EPA activated—for the first time ever—its Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides. Under this guidance, EPA allows manufacturers to provide the agency with data, even in advance of an outbreak, to show their products are effective against harder-to-kill viruses. Once approved, these companies can make marketing claims for use against the novel coronavirus. Read the EPA announcement about activating the Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance.
• In early March 2020, EPA released its initial List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (List N). This list continues to be updated on a weekly basis. It is searchable and sortable, comes with helpful tips on how to use disinfectants properly, and features frequently asked questions to ensure correct product usage. As with any EPA-registered product, carefully read the label and only use the product as described in its directions.
• Starting in early March, EPA began to expedite certain types of registrations and amendments for products intended for use against SARS-CoV-2. As of April 2021, EPA is no longer expediting its review of these actions. 
  • In March 2020, EPA launched an expedited review process for new Emerging Viral Pathogens Claim Submissions in order to add applicable products to List N as quickly as possible. 
  • In May 2020, EPA expanded the expedited review program to include new products as well as amendments to existing product labels that require the review of new efficacy data.
  • In July 2020, EPA began to expedite applications to add directions for use with electrostatic sprayers to products intended to kill SARS-CoV-2. 
  • In October 2020, EPA announced it would expedite applications to add residual efficacy claims to products intended for use against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
• In January 2021, EPA issued emergency exemptions to Georgia and Tennessee allowing them to use an air treatment product, Grignard Pure, in health care facilities, intrastate transportation, food processing facilities, and indoor spaces within buildings—including government facilities—where people are conducting activity deemed essential by the state. Read EPA’s press release on this action.
• In April 2021, EPA issued emergency exemptions to Georgia, Minnesota, and Utah allowing them to use an antiviral adhesive film, BIAXAM, in Delta Air Lines aircraft and airline facilities in those states. After it’s applied, the film kills SARS-CoV-2 particles that land on the surface within two hours. Based on differences in cleaning and disinfection frequency and protocols used in airport terminals vs airplanes, it remains effective for up to 100 days on airport surfaces and up to 200 days on airplane surfaces. Read EPA’s announcement on this action.
• In July 2021, EPA issued emergency exemptions to Maryland, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Texas for Grignard Pure. EPA also revised the terms of use for Grignard Pure for all emergency exemptions. After conducting a comprehensive review of new efficacy data, EPA determined that Grignard Pure is effective in reducing SARS-CoV-2 in the air at a lower use rate than was previously approved.
• Also in July 2021, EPA revoked emergency exemptions in Texas and Arkansas for SurfaceWise2, a product previously authorized for emergency use as a residual antimicrobial surface coating. EPA's revocation decision was based on alleged company misconduct and scientific concerns regarding product performance. EPA also received an earlier revocation request from Oklahoma indicating that the emergency situation was no longer applicable in the state. EPA accepted Oklahoma’s rationale and revoked its emergency exemption. Learn more about this action.

Ensuring Availability of Disinfectants

In 2020, EPA introduced regulatory flexibilities to ensure that critical antimicrobial products remained available as the country responded to the COVID-19 public health emergency. As supply chains have stabilized and disinfectant products expected to kill SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) have become consistently available to consumers, the agency has determined that this flexibility is no longer needed. EPA will terminate the Temporary Amendment to Pesticide Registration (PR) Notice 98-10, effective September 15, 2022.

Taking Action Against Fraudulent Products

Consumers should beware of imposter disinfectant products that are being marketed online with potentially dangerous claims of protection against the novel coronavirus. EPA is working the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to bring the full force of the law against those selling fraudulent or unregistered products. Read the press release about the EPA Administrator’s call with major retailers and third-party marketplaces to ensure that only approved disinfectant products are available for sale.

• Compliance Advisory: What You Need to Know Regarding Products Making Claims to Kill the Coronavirus Causing COVID-19
  The purpose of the Compliance Advisory is to address concerns related to products being used to disinfect surfaces which include claims to kill and/or be effective against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus causing the disease COVID-19. For some of these products, those claims have not been reviewed or accepted by EPA and, therefore, may present a risk to consumers, and healthcare providers in particular.