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KEEP IT CLEAN
Demand for cleaning and disinfectant products grew exponentially when the pandemic hit in early 2020. CARYN GOOTKIN looks at how the industry coped good manufacturing practices (GMP), so we did not feel the impact of this change, but some companies may have needed to readjust their formulations,” adds O’Reilly. “The amendment gives customers the guarantee that when they buy a disinfectant product from a reputable supplier it is effective against the category of microbes it is designed for,” says Sunasky. “Prime Cleaning’s existing quality control and operations made the adjustment a natural progression, but there have been delays due to a backlog
of paperwork at the NRCS caused by the rush of new entrants to the market,” she says. O’Reilly lists the following requirements that products must now meet: 1. Any product that claims to clean or disinfect any surface must now be registered based on what pathogens it reduces or eliminates – bactericidal, fungicidal/yeasticidal, sporicidal or virucidal efficacy. 2. Each disinfectant requires a safety data sheet. 3. Packaging must be impervious to and incapable of reacting with its contents, be sufficiently strong and have means to prevent leakage. 4. Labels must meet stringent requirements regarding contents, safety and claims. 5. The manufacturer must prove they have a QMS or GMP system in place. In addition, food disinfectants require a SABS 1853 or an Intertek EN1276 certification. “Industrial and domestic products require South African National Accreditation System laboratory tests showing the necessary kill rates over time for the type of disinfectant, while health products require South African Health Products Regulatory Authority registration, which ensures the product is fit for use on humans and meets medical requirements,” says Sunasky.
“CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES THAT MAKE PUBLIC HEALTH CLAIMS IN SOUTH AFRICA MUST NOW COMPLY WITH MINIMUM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND BE REGISTERED BY THE NATIONAL REGULATOR FOR COMPULSORY SPECIFICATIONS.” – LEE O’REILLY,
SAFETY, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY MANAGER, INDUSTROCLEAN
MANUFAC TURING
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hile the pandemic heralded a boom for cleaning and disinfectant manufacturers, the sudden increase in demand created immediate challenges for the industry, including shortages in the supply of raw materials, price increases, and stricter enforcement of trading terms with suppliers. “Our company was largely able to meet this demand without major changes to our operation, but many manufacturers may have found it challenging to upscale their existing capacity so quickly while meeting the associated financial demands,” says Emma Corder, managing director of Industroclean. “The demand seems to have stabilised now, and with it has come a return to normal pricing levels and greater availability of raw materials.” Judy Sunasky, head of cleaning chemical manufacturing for Prime Cleaning, agrees: “After the initial challenge of the COVID-19 rush from March to May last year, the market has adapted and is now able to meet the demand.” The Compulsory Specification for Chemical Disinfectants came into effect in October 2017 to safeguard the environment while also protecting consumers. “Chemical substances that make public health claims in South Africa must now comply with minimum safety requirements and be registered by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS),” says Lee O’Reilly, Industroclean’s safety, health, environment and quality manager. “The public is also assured that the packaging and labelling of such products meet stringent requirements. “As an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, Industroclean already had a quality management system (QMS) and followed
