Regulatory Status of Equipment Being Used to Help Prevent Coronavirus (COVID-19)

There are different regulations which apply to devices and equipment including hand gels and PPE (personal protective equipment).

CE marking will continue to be recognised on the Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) market until 30 June 2023. From 1 July 2023, new goods placed on the Great Britain market will need to conform with UKCA marking requirements. Separate rules exist for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. For further information on the regulatory requirements for medical devices.

Antimicrobial Hand Sanitisers and Gels

Hand sanitising products fall into 1 of 3 regulatory groups depending on the products’ intended use, function, composition or how they are described: 

• Products primarily used to clean and/or moisturise skin whilst providing a secondary antimicrobial effect such as a liquid soap or solid soap bars, are classed as a cosmetic.
• Products primarily claiming to kill germs, disinfect or sanitise or using an active antimicrobial ingredient such as the hand sanitisers used in hospitals, are classed as a biocide.