EPA officially launches green disinfectant and sanitizer pilot programs

WASHINGTON — On December 9, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched two voluntary pilot programs for disinfectants and sanitizers that will allow the use of the Design for the Environment (DfE) logo on certain products as well as allow the use of certain EPA-approved factual statements of environmental preferability, according to a press release.

Bill Balek, ISSA director of legislative affairs, said: "ISSA applauds the EPA for crafting a policy that will empower purchasers to make informed decisions when selecting disinfectants and sanitizers, as well as provide a market incentive for manufacturers to develop antimicrobial pesticides that possess a preferred environmental and safety and health profile."

Balek participated in the Comparative Claims Work Group assembled by the EPA for the purpose of developing the parameters of the pilot program, the release noted.

Registrants will be subject to a two-tier review process starting with review by the DfE program that will start accepting applications immediately, while the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) will start accepting applications on May 3, 2010, the release added.

According to the release, the OPP will start accepting applications for the use of factual statements of environmental preferability on product labels on January 25, 2010.

For more information about the pilot programs, click here.

Click here to read the complete release.