Comment Period for Interim Guidance on Residual Efficacy Claims Now Open

For Release: October 26, 2020

EPA's interim guidance on registering products that claim to have "residual" or "long-lasting" against viruses is now available for public comment until January 4th.

On October 14th, EPA announced that it would begin expediting its review of products with residual efficacy intended for use against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. While traditional disinfectants only kill viruses and bacteria that are on the surface at the time they are used, surfaces treated with residual antimicrobial products kill pathogens that come into contact with the surface days, weeks, or years after the product is applied.

The public comment period will be open for 60 days in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0529 at www.regulations.gov and will close on January 4th.