Disinfectants & sanitizers keep your family healthy & safe
Disinfectants and sanitizers work to combat the spread of germs in the home and other settings. Disinfectants destroy microorganisms on surfaces, while sanitizers reduce the level of microorganisms present by significant numbers or to acceptable levels established by federal or provincial health authorities.
Opportunities for the transmission of infectious disease in our society are widespread. Although often spread by person-to-person contact, the bacteria and viruses that cause infectious disease can also survive for long periods of time on hard surfaces such as tables, counters, handles, faucets, sinks, telephones, keyboards and toilet areas. These surfaces provide reservoirs from which contamination spreads to susceptible individuals who touch these surfaces and then infect themselves by touching their eyes or nose or through ingestion.
The following are some examples of diseases and infections that are readily spread via environmental surfaces:
Common Cold
- The average adult gets about one to three colds per year, most often during the winter. Infants can get up to eight in a year because their body’s defences aren’t yet developed. Preschool children average five to seven cold episodes each year.
- It is estimated that 40% of time lost from work and 30% of school absences are due to the common cold.
Diarrhea
- Rotavirus, which is the cause of a large percentage of debilitating diarrheal infections, spread in and through day care centres, can remain viable on non-porous surfaces (toys, telephones, play tables, etc.) for up to 10 days.
- Children are known to put hands and objects in their mouths every 2-3 minutes, enhancing spread of the virus once it reaches toys.
From the Journal of Clinical Microbiology and the Journal of Hygiene (online at the Pubmed Database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health)
Food-borne Disease
- Food is often contaminated by contact with contaminated utensils, countertops and other kitchen surfaces.
- Even relatively low levels of contamination on kitchen surfaces can present a hazard.
- The salmonella organism survives on non-porous kitchen surfaces for up to 24 hours and on clean cloths for up to 48 hours.
From The Lancet (online at the Pubmed Database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) and the Journal of Environmental Health
Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis A virus attacks the liver and is an important cause of morbidity and occasional mortality.
- Symptoms develop infrequently in children, which enhances the communicability of hepatitis A into the family from schools, day care centres, restaurants and health care facilities.
- Clinical studies show the hepatitis A virus survives on inanimate surfaces and human hands and can be transmitted from surfaces to humans via this route.
From the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of Clinical Microbiology and the Journal of Clinical Microbiology (online at the Publiced Database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health)
Learn more about disinfectants and sanitizers
How Surface Disinfectants and Sanitizers (Biocides) are Regulated in Canada
What Are Biocides?
Biocides are products that sanitize or disinfect hard or soft non-living and non-liquid surfaces to prevent disease in humans or animals. These products are used on surfaces to help kill or reduce harmful microorganisms and are vital in preventing the spread of germs and bacteria at home, in schools, and in public spaces. The term “biocides” is a new Health Canada term to capture products such as surface disinfectants and sanitizers and food contact sanitizers (used in food processing/establishments and food prep areas restaurants).
To be sold in Canada, biocides must be reviewed and authorized by Health Canada to ensure they are safe, effective, and properly labeled. To be considered a biocide under Canadian regulations, a product must meet efficacy requirements and kill or reduce at least 99.9% of targeted microorganisms (a 3-log reduction).
Biocide ingredients are subject to review under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), which governs the assessment and management of substances for environmental and human health risks.
How to Tell If a Product Is Authorized
Look for an 8-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the label (e.g., DIN 01234567). The DIN shows the product has been reviewed and approved for use as a biocide in Canada.
New Biocides Regulations
Until May 31, 2025, surface disinfectants and disinfectant-sanitizers were regulated as drugs under the Food and Drugs Regulations (FDR) and assigned a Drug Identification Number (DIN), while surface sanitizers were generally regulated as pest control products under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Surface sanitizers for use in food premises were regulated under the Food and Drug Act, and subject to voluntary review under Health Canada’s Bureau of Chemical Safety.
Canada has introduced new Biocides Regulations, which came into effect on May 31, 2025. These regulations bring surface disinfectants and surface sanitizers under one consistent framework to make sure all products meet modern standards for safety and effectiveness. Under the new rules, products with a biocide will need a DIN and must go through a pre-market review with Health Canada to be sold.
Transition Period (2025-2031)
There is a 4-year transition period, from May 31, 2025, to May 31, 2029, to give manufacturers and importers of surface disinfectants and sanitizers time to move their products to the new framework. By May 31, 2029, all surface disinfectants and surface sanitizers must be authorized under the new Biocides Regulations. Products used to sanitize food contact surfaces in restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food processing facilities/establishments have until May 31, 2031, to meet the new requirements.
During this transition time, products may still be sold under the previous system, either as disinfectants (under the FDR), as pest control products (under the PCPA), or as food contact sanitizers under the FDA. During this period, you may see DINs and PCP numbers on surface disinfectants and sanitizers while companies make the switch, while food contact sanitizers may have no unique identifier (as this was not a requirement under the previous framework).
Why This Matters to You
The Biocides Regulations ensure authorized products have gone through a rigorous review process to make sure they work as intended and are safe to use. Health Canada continues to monitor products after they’re approved to ensure they remain safe and effective. Always follow the directions on the label before using a disinfectant or sanitizer.
For More Information
Visit canada.ca/biocides for more on how biocides are reviewed and approved.