Revisions to the Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Regulations proposed by Thailand

On 2 February 2024, the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submitted two draft notifications to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The goal of both drafts is to protect human health and provide an update on the overall proportion of alcohol in alcohol-based hand sanitizers.  

Notification 1: Determining the Characteristics of Cosmetics Containing Alcohol for Hand Sanitizing Prohibited for Manufacture, Import, or Sale 

The draft notification prohibits the manufacture, import, or sale of cosmetics containing alcohol for hand sanitizing purposes if they have a concentration of either ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, or a mixture thereof of less than 70% by volume or less than 65% by weight. These products are intended to clean hands without the use of water. 

Notification 2: Determining the Criteria for Deviation Limits of Main Ingredients in Cosmetics Containing Alcohol for Hand Sanitizing 

This draft notification sets out the criteria for deviation limits of alcohol in cosmetics containing alcohol for hand sanitizing, specifying that they must contain not less than 15% and not more than 18% as notified to the Regulatory Body. 

In both notifications "alcohol" refers to ethyl alcohol (ethanol), isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol), and n-propyl alcohol (n-propanol) in cosmetics containing alcohol for hand sanitizing. 

The drafts will be available for public comment for the next sixty days. The day following their publication in the Government Gazette will mark the effective date which has not yet been determined.