With the outbreak of the coronavirus, more and more organizations are realizing the importance of good hygiene, and are therefore investing more in this area. Due to the high demand that this brings, the government has introduced various exemptions regarding the production and distribution of disinfectant products.
Unfortunately, this also means that there are parties that have started producing disinfectants with insufficient knowledge, resulting in illegal products being used for cleaning in healthcare, education, and other sectors. In 2021, the rules and protocols will be adjusted again, so we have compiled a list of what you should keep in mind: whether you are already using disinfectants now or if you are allowed to restart soon.
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When the fight against the coronavirus began in early 2020, a shortage of hand sanitizers in business or professional environments threatened. To prevent this, the government introduced a temporary exemption from hand sanitizing with (at least) 70% alcohol for professional use, in consultation with the Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport, the National Consortium for Aids and Aids-Related Products and the Dutch Association of Soap Manufacturers. This exemption was extended once in September 2020 to 4 March 2021, With this, it will officially be banned next month for producers and distributors to offer these any longer.
Exemption for disinfection products against corona expires
In addition to being prohibited from offering the products starting next month, companies are also officially no longer allowed to use them. It is therefore important that if you as a company are currently still using these products, you either prepare them in advance or immediately switch to approved disinfectant agents. By investing in new disinfection, you can also prevent yourself from using illegal products or purchasing them in case you are allowed to restart operations again, as many illegal disinfectant agents are currently also being used.
This is how the Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT) and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Authority (NVWA) concluded. in the last few months that many disinfectants contain far too little alcohol, that the labels were incorrect, or that the bottles were filled in an unsafe manner. In addition, it turned out that: a sample That one quarter of the hand sanitizers tested in public places also contain too little alcohol to effectively combat the coronavirus, while they are still placed at entrances. It is therefore of great importance (from now on) to purchase products from professional organizations. For example, Spectro specializes in the production and distribution of professional disinfectants, which proven effective He is against enveloped viruses like COVID-19.
Advice & protocols for education and hairdressers
There are also plans for education by February 8th. New measures announced. These are recorded in the service document and the protocols that schools follow. In addition, the following apply, among others: hygiene guidelines from the RIVM. There is also a reopening of hairdressers. a protocol drawn up, which contains important points such as:
- Ensure that there is sufficient soap in a pump bottle and remind attendees of the importance of washing their hands.
- Ensure that employees wash their hands at least once an hour and, in any case, before and after handling the customer. Also ensure the presence of caring hand cream in a pump bottle.
- After each customer, clean the following areas with a disinfectant cleaning agent:
– the (hairdresser) chairs, dressing table and washbasins
– the used material such as scissors, combs, brushes, knives, trimmers, and the handle of the hair dryer
– the door handles and handrails
– the ATM
– all touchscreens
– the counter
– the phone
– toilet and fountain
– face shield
– if applicable, (electric) screens
Do you want to invest in hand sanitizer for your organization right now? Hand hygiene includes cleaning hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer (such as Ethades & Ethades+) or with soap (like Hand Soap Eco Soft & Foam Soap Eco Soft) and water. Hand sanitizer based on alcohol is preferred if the hands are not visibly dirty; if this is the case, you can wash your hands with soap and water.