Sanitizer vs Disinfectant
The term «sanitizer» (sanitizante in Spanish) has no legal definition in the EU; here, what counts is whether the product is an authorised disinfectant.
In the United States and parts of Latin America a distinction is made between sanitizer (reduces the microbial load to a level considered acceptable) and disinfectant (eliminates the microorganisms stated on its label), with their own test methods. In the European Union that distinction does not exist in the legislation. Regulation (EU) 528/2012 (BPR) defines a biocide by its function: any product presented as capable of eliminating or controlling microorganisms is a biocide and needs authorisation, whether it is called a disinfectant, a sanitizer or a hygieniser.
What describes the effectiveness of a disinfectant in Europe are the UNE-EN test standards and what its data sheet declares: against which microorganisms (bactericidal, fungicidal, yeasticidal, virucidal), under which standard, at what dose, with what contact time and under what conditions (clean or dirty, that is, with or without added organic matter). That is why, when choosing a product, it is advisable not to focus on the commercial term and to check:
- that it has a registration number on the label and data sheet;
- that the declared activity covers the risk in the area (for example, fungicidal activity if there is mould);
- that the dose and contact time are applicable in practice;
- that the authorised use matches the intended one (surfaces in contact with food, environmental use, livestock settings…).
A product that only cleans, even if it reduces soil and with it part of the microorganisms, cannot be presented as a disinfectant. Hygiene plans usually combine the two stages: first cleaning that removes the soil and then, where necessary, disinfection with an authorised product, since organic matter reduces the effectiveness of disinfectants.
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