SGS, the world’s leading provider of testing and certification services, offers a range of solutions to help manufacturers produce safe, effective, and compliant hand sanitizers.

After handwashing, using hand sanitizers is one of the best ways to ensure SARS-CoV-2, the virus that spreads COVID-19, is rendered harmless. Most hand sanitizers are alcohol-based, often using ethanol or isopropanol. To be effective they must be a minimum of 60% alcohol by volume, although many commercial brands contain between 60% and 80% alcohol by volume.

A basic hand sanitizer will also often contain glycerol (prevents dry skin), hydrogen peroxide (inactivates contaminating bacterial spores) and distilled water. In addition, commercially available hand sanitizers can also contain antiseptics, such as chlorhexidine or quaternary ammonium derivatives, and non-essential ingredients such as foaming agents, colorants and/or fragrances.

COVID-19 meant hand sanitizer supplies around the world were quickly exhausted. In response, a variety of manufacturers, including distillers and automotive industry suppliers, began manufacturing the product, although regulations in some areas did not actually allow it. To address this, several authorities eased their regulations.

In the US, either the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate antimicrobial products:

• EPA – antimicrobial products used on surfaces because they are identified as pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). They require product-specific approval by way of a ‘registration’ of antimicrobial products and sources of active ingredients. Efficacy against public health pathogens must be demonstrated using specified EPA-approved studies

• FDA – antimicrobial products used on humans or animals, regulated as over the counter (OTC) drugs under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetics Act (FFDCA). The FDA typically determines whether the active ingredients used in OTC drugs are Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE) through its monograph program. Under this, consumer antiseptic hand rub products can use ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol or benzalkonium chloride

The EPA already had a policy that allowed manufacturers to make claims against emerging viral pathogens, provided the product met set efficacy tests. So, although registrants and sellers on the EPA’s list cannot make specific claims in relation to COVID-19, they can state they are on this list. Therefore, in effect, they are demonstrating the EPA considers this product to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. 

The EPA and FDA have both taken steps to help reduce the shortage in hand sanitizers. For example, the EPA has eased the reporting requirements on 280 inactive disinfectant ingredients and the FDA has relaxed certain restrictions. They have also announced that they will not enforce actions against firms preparing alcohol-based hand sanitizers for consumer and public health use until such a time that the emergency is lifted. In addition, they will not take action against compounders, so long as they use ingredients of United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) grade and utilize a formulation that is consistent with WHO guidance.

Hand sanitizers are covered by Regulation (EU) 528/2012 – the Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR) – the European Union (EU). Under Article 55 for the BPR, Member States are allowed to set aside the standard BPR authorization requirements in the event of a public health emergency. A national derogation can be announced by a competent authority (CA) for a period of up to 180 days, which may be extended. Several EU countries have adopted derogation. Stakeholders should recognize that hand sanitizer products manufactured outside of the EU are still subject to the requirements of the BPR.

During the COVID-19 pandemic regulatory authorities have relaxed certain regulations to ensure a steady supply of hand sanitizers. As the situation develops, it can be imagined these will develop further. It is therefore important for manufacturers to ensure they are compliant with up to date regulatory information.

SGS Hand Sanitizers and Disinfectant Services

Utilizing a global network of experts and laboratories, SGS provides a comprehensive testing and registration service to help hand sanitizer manufacturers ensure their products remain compliant with current market regulations. Learn more about SGS Hand Sanitizers and Disinfectants Services. 

For more information, please contact:

Hubert Brundu
Global Technical Manager
Cosmetics, Personal Care & Household
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/cpch

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India — August 25, 2020 — AppJetty, Biztech’s child company, recently announced the rebranding of their Dynamics CRM mapping integration, Quick Maps, to MappyField 365. 

They’ve changed the product name on their website as well as their product page on Microsoft AppSource, a solution’s platform where businesses having Dynamics 365 can find solutions to their problems.

When asked as to what brought about the rebranding, their Head of Marketing and Product Strategy, Parth Pandya said, “Some of the biggest challenges for Sales & Marketing Ops are Field Service Planning and Route Optimisation. Of course, live tracking seems quite a natural requirement for managers, too. Moving from Quick Maps to MappyField 365 is our conscious effort to bridge this gap for Dynamics 365 users.”

MappyField 365 retains all the features and functions that you already know from Quick Maps, like heat map visualization, route optimization, territory management, live tracking, and more.

MappyField 365 for Dynamics CRM is a tool that is specially designed for the sales team and also works as a collaborative tool for sales and marketing teams. A clean visual interface and visual elements reduce training time and provide data that is easy to understand for the sales representatives and sales managers. 

MappyField 365 also became a preferred solution on MS AppSource, recently.

To learn more about the product, you can visit their product page from here: https://www.appjetty.com/dynamics365-mappyfield-365.htm

SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, has launched the Buying Assistance Program, a new service to help consumer goods manufacturers successfully source suppliers for their global supply chains.

SGS’s Buying Assistance Program, devised for the toys and hardgoods sector, fills a gap that has become readily apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before a buyer chooses a new supplier, they will often inspect a production facility to gauge its ability to fulfill contractual obligations. However, with the introduction of travel restrictions during the pandemic, this has become impossible. The answer is local independent inspectors acting as the eyes and ears for the buyer.

SGS works with the buyer to create a checklist and inspection plan. SGS’s highly-trained inspectors review every aspect of the facility’s production process – from purchasing raw materials to shipping the end product – providing full reports with photographic evidence that can be customized for reporting in 2D or 3D, as if the buyer were actually present. The inspector’s report determines whether a facility can fulfill the customer’s ordering requirements, identifying strengths and weaknesses in the supplier’s systems, and pinpointing non-conformities. When a problem is encountered, they work with the buyer and the supplier to develop a remediation plan. As an important part of due diligence, SGS’s Buying Assistance Program helps businesses find the right supplier while mitigating risk in their supply chain.

Commenting on the launch, Scott Nesson, International Sales Manager, SGS said: “The severe disruption caused by COVID-19 has shown that buyers are often unable to visit potential suppliers. With the Buying Assistance Program, we are using the latest technology, backed by our global network of highly experienced inspectors, to fill the gap and restore trust in global supply chains.”

Managing a global supply chain is difficult even without the restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. Without detailed inspections, buyers are cautious and seek assurance because they lack the necessary insights to make informed decisions about new suppliers. The Buying Assistance Program fills this intelligence gap, helping the buyer to make the right choices and rebuilding trust in their supply chain.   

For further information, please contact:

Rachel Cheng

Consumer Goods & Retail Services, SGS

Phoebe Lee

Consumer Goods & Retail Services, SGS

Scott Nesson

International Sales Manager

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

About SGS 

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

Manassas, Virginia (release-news) August 19, 2020 - Atlantic Sun Control, a Manassas window film company, recently released a new informational article that discusses the top benefits that solar shades can provide homeowners. The expert window film company guides the information in the article so that it can be used as both a consumer resource as well as an educational tool for homeowners to learn more about solar shades.

The team at Atlantic offers some valuable information for homeowners who want to learn more about how installing solar shades can benefit their homes. In the article, they explain some important points including how shades reduce energy costs, reduce sun glare, protect from harmful UV rays, and can also reduce the sun damage the fabrics and furniture in your home endure. The window film company has developed a trusted and proven process that has helped provide effective shades to homeowners throughout Virginia. They are proud of their ability to provide the highest quality products that have left thousands of customers satisfied. According to one testimonial on the company's website, "..we have again and again had a positive experience with Atlantic and will always be returning customers."

While this new article focuses on the benefits homeowners receive from installing solar shades, Atlantic Sun Control offers a variety of film and shade services including privacy window films, decorative films, blinds and shades, and more. They offer both commercial and residential services that are all up to the highest industry-standard quality. The team at Atlantic believes in providing excellent customer service with a friendly and personalized touch to ensure the job gets done up to their client's standards every time.

Atlantic Sun Control has designed this new article with the hopes that homeowners will be able to better understand the unmistakable benefits that come along with professionally-installed solar shades and the difference it can make for the look and feel of your home. If you would like more information on how Atlantic's window film and shades services, contact them today at 703-631-8536 or visit their website at https://atlanticsun.net/. Their offices are located at 8621 Quarry Road Manassas, VA 20110.

###