On March 5, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of a new list of EPA-registered disinfectant products that have qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.  Products on EPA’s “List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2” are registered disinfectants qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2 approved through EPA’s Emerging Viral Pathogen Program (Program).  Currently there are 85 products listed that are qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2.  Of note, EPA states that if the directions for use for viruses/virucidal activity of the listed products provide different contact times or dilutions, the longest contact time or most concentrated solution should be used.

EPA issued guidance for the Program in 2016; the guidance was intended to “expedite the process for registrants to provide useful information to the public” regarding products that may be effective against emerging viral pathogens.  In the event of an outbreak, companies with pre-approved products can make off-label claims (e.g., technical literature distributed exclusively to healthcare facilities, physicians, nurses, and public health officials; 1-800 consumer information services; company websites (non-label related); social media) for use against the outbreak virus.  These emerging pathogen statements will not appear on marketed (final print) product labels.  Additional information on EPA’s activation of its Emerging Viral Pathogen Program is available on our blog.

Companies with EPA-registered disinfectants that wish to add their products to List N, should provide the information as outlined below to disinfectantslist@epa.gov.

1. Ensure that the product has a previously approved emerging viral pathogen claim.

2. Provide the product name and EPA Registration number.

It is important to note that in releasing today’s list of products, EPA states in red bold font: “Note: There may be additional disinfectants that meet the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2.  EPA will update this list with additional products as needed.” 

In addition, EPA has updated other lists of antimicrobial products registered with EPA for claims against common pathogens:

• List B: EPA Registered Tuberculocide Products Effective Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis;

• List C: EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Human HIV-1 Virus;

• List D: EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Human HIV-1 and Hepatitis B Virus;

• List E: EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Human HIV-1 and Hepatitis B Virus;

• List F: EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Hepatitis C Virus;

• List G: EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Norovirus;

• List H: EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus faecalis or faecium (VRE);

• List K: EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Clostridium Difficile Spores; and

• List M: Registered Antimicrobial Products with Label Claims for Avian (Bird) Flu Disinfectants.

Additional information on EPA’s List of Antimicrobial Products Registered with EPA for Claims Against Common Pathogens is available here.