Are Quats/QACs allowed in EU?

Hi, 

New member here. Our company was asked by one of our customers (from the EU) to fill in a supplier's declaration. One of the items in the declaration is the NON USE of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds for cleaning agents and disinfectants. However, our company uses Bactoquat  as a sanitiser - as it is an allowed maintenance compound in NZ. Would anyone be able to clarify EU's policy on Quats/QACs?

Thanks very much

Hi There,

Quats are not specifically banned in the EU but Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides gave a default  MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) of 0.1ppm as this is considered unachievable if using quats as a biocide Food Production companies in the UK moved away from using Quats around 2015.

regards

John

If your chemical company wishes to continue supplying you with QUAT based chemicals this is possible if they are prepared to cover the testing costs (to make sure there is no carryover to demonstrate finished products comply with relevant legislation ). The testing should be in the highest fat content products you supply. 

This testing is expensive so it is best to avoid use of QUATs if there is known to be carryover or your chemical supplier won't pay for these tests to demonstrate compliance.

If your chemical company wishes to continue supplying you with QUAT based chemicals this is possible if they are prepared to cover the testing costs (to make sure there is no carryover to demonstrate finished products comply with relevant legislation ). The testing should be in the highest fat content products you supply. 

 

This testing is expensive so it is best to avoid use of QUATs if there is known to be carryover or your chemical supplier won't pay for these tests to demonstrate compliance.

Hi Lesley,

Thanks for your advice - just to follow up, based on your information, would you know of any alternative cleaning chemicals/chemical compounds to replace QUATs? 

Cheers,

lvn

Hi Ivn

Unfortunately I can't help you here, I'm not that well versed in chemical compounds.  However your chemical supplier should be able to help you with alternatives to QUATs.

Hi lvn,

My company stopped using cleaning agents based on QACs  a few years ago when a client asked for a declaration that we don't use them for cleaning. Then last year they sent again the same supplier declaration. We are asked not to use it for anything in the company, not even to clean the walls in the cooling cells. They were preparing for their IFS broker audit and because their office was based in Germany they wanted to be sure that they have this declaration. Apparently there is a stricter legislation for the use of QACs in Germany and auditors are specifically looking for this declarations.