Disinfectant Claim Guide: specific claims and non-specific claims

The regulation of disinfectants depends on the claims made by the product on labels, packaging and Product Information leaflets including websites.

Virucidal, sporicidal, tuberculocidal, fungicidal or other biocidal activity are known as "specific claims". Products that make specific claims are required to be Listed in the ARTG prior to their supply. The testing set out in the TGA instructions for disinfectant testing must be conducted to validate specific claims.

Claims of general antibacterial action or activity against vegetative bacteria (excluding mycobacteria) covered by the battery of test organisms included in the TGA Disinfectant test, or bacteria of the same genus, are known as "non-specific claims". If label claims are made for vegetative bacterial species in addition to or other than those covered by the required test organisms, the testing as set out in the TGA instructions for disinfectant testing must be conducted using these additional organisms.

A claim of residual activity (such as "protects for up to 24 hours") is considered to be a specific claim which requires review by the TGA. All claims made about residual effectiveness must be substantiated with testing data that meets the requirements set out in the TGA instructions for disinfectant testing.

The claim "antibacterial action is subject to an industry Code of Practice - contact your relevant industry association for more information.

Products where claims are limited specifically to activity against "moulds" are excluded goods and are not regulated under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and TGO 104.

The following table provides a guide to commonly used claims for disinfectant products to assist sponsors in determining the regulatory pathway for a product, based on the claims made and the manufacturer's intended use for the product.

General cleaning products and sanitisers are only exempt in the absence of other listable claims. In addition, products that are intended exclusively for the destruction of moulds are excluded.

This guide is not intended to be an exhaustive list of allowable claims. Sponsors may use other wording for claims that do not contradict the table, for example, claims for 'germicidal' action may be labelled as 'bactericidal'.

Sponsors of disinfectant products must comply with the TGA Advertising Code at all times.

* Only in the absence of other listable claims. Products that are intended exclusively for the destruction of moulds are excluded.