Disinfectants and sanitizers help combat the spread of germs in the home, restaurants, hospitals and other industrial and public health settings. Disinfectants destroy microorganisms on surfaces while sanitizers significantly reduce the level of microorganisms to acceptable levels established by federal or provincial authorities.

Non-food contact surface sanitizers, soft surface sanitizers, greenhouse disinfectants and swimming pool and spa disinfectants are regulated under the Pest Control Products Act and Pest Control Regulations.

The following disinfectants / sanitizers are regulated by the Food and Drugs Act and the Food and Drug Regulations: hard surface disinfectants for use in food processing facilities, hard surface disinfectants for use in federally registered food establishments, food contact surface sanitizers and sanitizers for use in federally registered food establishments. Antimicrobial products such as sterilants and disinfectants intended for use on environmental surfaces, inanimate objects and to reprocess medical devices are also regulated under the Act.

Alcohol hand sanitizers, such as alcohol hand rubs, gels or rinse sanitizers are disinfectants containing at least 60% alcohol. They are regulated under the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations. TSG’s experts can advise on data requirements, as well as help prepare and submit product registrations.

A Drug Identification Number, otherwise known as DIN, is an eight-digit computer-generated number that uniquely identifies a product’s manufacturer, name, active ingredient(s), strength(s) of active ingredient(s), pharmaceutical form and route of administration. Health Canada issues a DIN to all authorized prescription and over-the-counter drugs in Canada, permitting the manufacturer to market the drug in Canada. The DIN number is included on the product’s label. TSG’s regulatory experts can assist in preparing the information and filing the DIN application to Health Canada.