A year like no other Sales of hand sanitiser soared by 255% [1] in February 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. With recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) to: “Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water” [2], the global hand sanitiser market has grown exponentially from $1.53 billion in 2019 to an expected $3.04 billion in 2020 [3]. Producers responded quickly by increasing production – here at Cleenol, we managed to increase production by a massive 40%. Despite these efforts, there was a point earlier this year when buying hand sanitiser was as challenging as finding toilet roll. To help the industry plug the gap in supply, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) started to fast-track applications to produce denatured alcohol, a key ingredient in hand sanitiser [4], to allow for an influx of new manufacturers. Looking to the future Happily, over the last few weeks, we’ve seen scientific advances from across the globe that promise real hope with the introduction of new vaccines to protect against COVID-19 in the future. But we still need hand sanitiser — delivery of the vaccine will take time and the vaccines may not protect against future unknown pathogens. Clearly hand sanitiser, along with social distancing and localised lockdowns, will be in our future for a while to come. Quality-assured hand sanitisers increase trust to your business Cleanliness and hygiene have always been an important part of hospitality and care service delivery, but this year’s pandemic has shone a light on this and linked it to safety. Enter hand sanitisers – an ideal step to protect staff, customers and care home residents. But one thing is abundantly clear – not all hand sanitisers are created equally and with so many new producers entering the market, coupled with the need for expedited delivery, errors creep in. The Importance of a High-Quality Hand Sanitiser We have seen recent recalls of hand sanitiser for containing methanol, rather than ethanol. Methanol can be toxic if absorbed through the skin and if it is ingested it can be life-threatening. So being careful in your choice of hand sanitiser is essential. What to Look for in a High-Quality Hand Sanitiser So, what do you need to look for in a high-quality hand sanitiser? There are two major considerations here: efficacy of the product and making the experience pleasant for the user. Product Efficacy Alcohol content The WHO [5] and America’s CDC [6] recommend hand sanitisers with at least 60% alcohol content. Cleenol’s superior Medisan hand sanitiser contains 70% ethanol and kills all enveloped viruses within 60 seconds. Quality testing To be sure that the hand sanitiser you are buying is fit for purpose, you can check that it has been tested against European Standards (EN). The relevant standards are: BS EN 1500 for Hygienic Handrubs, BS EN 1276 for killing 99.999% of bacteria and BS EN 14476 for killing 99.99% of enveloped viruses (coronaviruses are an example of enveloped viruses). Beyond the effectiveness of the hand sanitiser, the customer experience should be considered. The Product Experience Viscosity Some hand sanitisers can be very runny and if you are dispensing in a public place, can easily run off the hands onto the floor creating a slip hazard, or run down your sleeve. Either way, the experience is less satisfying for consumers and so may be avoided, increasing the risk of cross-contamination. After effects Some hand sanitisers leave your hands feeling sticky, a sensation most people dislike. Again, if consumers don’t like how it feels, they’re less likely to continue to use the hand sanitiser, increasing your risk. Consider a hand sanitiser that includes a moisturising agent, such as Medisan 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitiser which contains glycerine. Smell If you’re serving food, this will be of particular concern, as smell directly contributes to taste. If you provide a hand sanitiser that has a strong chemical smell that lingers, it can be unpleasant and alter the dining experience. Ultimately, you want to find a highly effective hand sanitiser to protect your business, staff and patrons whilst improving the customer experience, to benefit from customer trust, ongoing loyalty and repeat business. Different hand sanitisers on the market: alcohol-free hand sanitisers vs. 70% alcohol hand sanitisers News reports had put in doubt the efficacy of alcohol-free hand sanitisers, however Cleenol, with decades of experience in the cleaning industry, recognises that both alcohol-based and alcohol-free hand sanitisers have their place, with advantages and disadvantages to both. Cleenol originally started developing alcohol-free hand sanitiser to satisfy a rapidly growing customer base in the Middle East, where the use of alcohol-based products is not permitted for those observing the Islam faith. Cleenol’s alcohol-free hand sanitiser is certified as Halal by the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC). Demand for alcohol-free hand sanitisers also grew in hospitals, care homes, prisons and schools with young children or students with special educational needs and disabilities. Alcohol-free hand sanitiser is more suitable for dry skin, and the risk of accidental ingestion of harmful quantities is low due to the relatively low toxicity of the active substances. Active ingredients could include Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) or Benzalkonium chloride (BKC), which are both members of the quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) family of disinfectants. You would have to ingest a large amount of these before any ill effects were felt. Additionally, alcohol-free sanitiser can provide long-lasting protection from bacteria and viruses. As it dries, it leaves a protective layer on your skin which acts as a shield, protecting you for up to four hours. For a detailed comparison of alcohol-free and 70% alcohol hand sanitiser, take a look at Cleenol’s whitepaper on the subject. Cleenol hand sanitiser products Our range of hand sanitisers includes: Medisan 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitising Gel > A 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel which complies with BS EN 1500, BS EN 1276 and BS EN 14476, killing 99.999% of bacteria and 99.99% of enveloped viruses within 60 seconds. It is available in 5 litre, 500 ml and 50 ml bottles. Senses Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitiser > This hand sanitiser is mainly formulated from vegetable-derived bactericides and foaming agents. It is odourless and soft on the skin so perfect for frequent use. Ideal to be used in clinics, hospitals and food production environments, it has been tested against BS EN 14476 (killing 99.99% of enveloped viruses within two minutes), BS EN 1276 (killing 99.999% bacteria within five minutes) and also BS EN 1500. Available in 5 litre, 800ml, 500ml and 50ml bottles, and additionally as a foam hand sanitizer in 50ml bottles. Sharing expertise Cleenol has been in the business of developing cleaning products for over 60 years and today we export to over 40 different countries. In 1992 we were one of the first companies in the industry to achieve the ISO9001 quality accreditation covering all business operations, and we’ve maintained this ever since. Quality, product and customer service, are at the very heart of what we do, and in this endeavour, we recruit the best in technical, scientific and industrial expertise. With a view to supporting the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we have freely shared our knowledge to improve understanding; increased productivity of hand sanitiser products by 40%; and safeguarded supplies for customers in the defence, education and healthcare sectors. A high-quality hand sanitizer should be easy to use, efficient, and pleasant. If you have any questions or would like to try our hand sanitisers, please contact our Customer Service Advisor team at sales@cleenol.co.uk or by calling +44 (0) 1295 251721.

Our MD Sam Greaves was recently interviewed by Tomorrow FM - click here to see what insights he shared.

As the public navigates the countermeasures to the pandemic, clear information on the viability of both 70% alcohol and alcohol-free hand sanitisers is vital for people to stay safe and healthy. This paper presents a side-by-side comparison of the science, standards and use cases of both 70% alcohol and alcohol-free hand sanitisers. This information aims to help consumers make informed decisions on the product(s) they choose to use to protect themselves in the ongoing fight against the virus. Key takeaways: Both 70% ethanol alcohol and alcohol-free hand sanitisers are safe and effective in the fight against coronavirus. Both 70% alcohol and alcohol-free hand sanitisers have passed identical, independently certified European Standard tests, including tests on skin. 70% alcohol hand sanitiser is the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended product and offers a faster virus kill time after application than alcohol-free sanitiser. Alcohol-free hand sanitiser offers longer protection against bacteria and viruses, so in certain circumstances where someone is exposed for an extended period, alcohol-free should be considered a superior option. A comparison between alcohol-free and 70% alcohol hand sanitisers Cleenol hand sanitisers: Cleenol offer both 70% alcohol and alcohol-free sanitizers Sidney W. Bondurant, Collette M. Duley, John W. Harbell (2019) Demonstrating the persistent antibacterial efficacy of a hand sanitizer containing benzalkonium chloride on human skin at 1, 2, and 4 hours after application. American Journal of Infection Control 47: 928–932 BS EN 1276 is a European Standard test method that evaluates the efficacy of a disinfectant against bacteria such as MRSA, Salmonella typhimurium, E. Coli, Enterococcus hirae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BS EN 1500 is a European Standard test method, required by the NHS, that evaluates the efficacy of a hygienic handrub by measuring the number of viable bacteria remaining on the fingertips of human participants after contamination and handrub exposure BS EN 14476 is a European Standard test method that evaluates the efficacy of a disinfectant against enveloped viruses. Annex A of BS EN 14476 includes coronavirus in the examples of enveloped viruses. Contact information: Jonathan Cottrill Technical Managertechnical.enquiries@cleenol.co.uk

A year like no other Sales of hand sanitiser soared by 255% [1] in February 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. With recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) to: “Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water” [2], the global hand sanitiser market has grown exponentially from $1.53 billion in 2019 to an expected $3.04 billion in 2020 [3]. Producers responded quickly by increasing production – here at Cleenol, we managed to increase production by a massive 40% [4]. Despite these efforts, there was a point earlier this year when buying hand sanitiser was as challenging as finding toilet roll. To help the industry plug the gap in supply, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) started to fast-track applications to produce denatured alcohol, a key ingredient in hand sanitiser [5], to allow for an influx of new manufacturers. Looking to the future Happily, over the last few weeks, we’ve seen scientific advances from across the globe that promise real hope with the introduction of new vaccines to protect against COVID-19 in the future. But we still need hand sanitiser — delivery of the vaccine will take time and the vaccines may not protect against future unknown pathogens. Clearly hand sanitiser, along with social distancing and localised lockdowns, will be in our future for a while to come. Quality-assured hand sanitisers increase trust to your business Cleanliness and hygiene have always been an important part of hospitality and care service delivery, but this year’s pandemic has shone a light on this and linked it to safety. Enter hand sanitisers – an ideal step to protect staff, customers and care home residents. But one thing is abundantly clear – not all hand sanitisers are created equally and with so many new producers entering the market, coupled with the need for expedited delivery, errors creep in. We have seen recent recalls of hand sanitiser for containing methanol, rather than ethanol. Methanol can be toxic if absorbed through the skin and if it is ingested it can be life-threatening. So being careful in your choice of hand sanitiser is essential. So, what do you need to look for in a high-quality hand sanitiser? There are two major considerations here: efficacy of the product and making the experience pleasant for the user. Alcohol content The WHO [6] and America’s CDC [7] recommend hand sanitisers with at least 60% alcohol content. Cleenol’s superior Medisan hand sanitiser contains 70% ethanol and kills all enveloped viruses within 60 seconds. Quality testing To be sure that the hand sanitiser you are buying is fit for purpose, you can check that it has been tested against European Standards (EN). The relevant standards are: EN1500 for Hygienic Handrubs, EN1276 for killing 99.999% of bacteria and EN14476 for killing 99.99% of enveloped viruses (coronaviruses are an example of enveloped viruses). Beyond the effectiveness of the hand sanitiser, the customer experience should be considered. Viscosity Some hand sanitisers can be very runny and if you’re dispensing in a public place, can easily run off the hands onto the floor creating a slip hazard, or run down your sleeve. Either way, the experience is less satisfying for consumers and so may be avoided, increasing the risk of cross-contamination. After effects Some hand sanitisers leave your hands feeling sticky, a sensation most people dislike. Again, if consumers don’t like how it feels, they’re less likely to continue to use the hand sanitiser, increasing your risk. Consider a hand sanitiser that includes a moisturising agent, such as Medisan 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitiser which contains glycerine. Smell If you’re serving food, this will be of particular concern, as smell directly contributes to taste. If you provide a hand sanitiser that has a strong chemical smell that lingers, it can be unpleasant and alter the dining experience. Ultimately, you want to find a highly effective hand sanitiser to protect your business, staff and patrons whilst improving the customer experience, to benefit from customer trust, ongoing loyalty and repeat business. What about alcohol-free hand sanitisers? News reports had put in doubt the efficacy of alcohol-free hand sanitisers, however Cleenol, with decades of experience in the cleaning industry, recognises that both alcohol-based and alcohol-free hand sanitisers have their place, with advantages and disadvantages to both[8]. Cleenol originally started developing alcohol-free hand sanitiser to satisfy a rapidly growing customer base in the Middle East, where the use of alcohol-based products is not permitted for those observing the Islam faith. Cleenol’s alcohol-free hand sanitiser is certified as Halal by the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC). Demand for alcohol-free hand sanitisers also grew in hospitals, care homes, prisons and schools with young children or students with special educational needs and disabilities. Alcohol-free hand sanitiser is more suitable for dry skin, and the risk of accidental ingestion of harmful quantities is low due to the relatively low toxicity of the active substances. Active ingredients could include Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) or Benzalkonium chloride (BKC), which are both members of the quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) family of disinfectants. You would have to ingest a large amount of these before any ill effects were felt. Additionally, alcohol-free sanitiser can provide long-lasting protection from bacteria and viruses. As it dries, it leaves a protective layer on your skin which acts as a shield, protecting you for up to four hours. For a detailed comparison of alcohol-free and 70% alcohol hand sanitiser, take a look at Cleenol’s whitepaper. Cleenol hand sanitisers Our range of hand sanitisers includes: Medisan 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitising Gel A 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel which complies with EN1500, EN1276 and EN14476, killing 99.999% of bacteria and 99.99% of enveloped viruses within 60 seconds. It is available in 5 litre, 500 ml and 50 ml bottles. Senses Alcohol-Free Hand SanitiserThis hand sanitiser is mainly formulated from vegetable-derived bactericides and foaming agents. It is odourless and soft on the skin so perfect for frequent use. Ideal to be used in clinics, hospitals and food production environments, it has been tested against EN14476 (killing 99.99% of enveloped viruses within two minutes), EN1276 (killing 99.999% bacteria within five minutes) and also EN1500. Available in 5 litre, 800ml, 500ml and 50ml bottles, and additionally as a foam hand sanitizer in 50ml bottles. Sharing expertise Cleenol has been in the business of developing cleaning products for over 60 years and today we export to over 40 different countries. In 1992 we were one of the first companies in the industry to achieve the ISO9001 quality accreditation covering all business operations, and we’ve maintained this ever since. Quality, product and customer service, are at the very heart of what we do, and in this endeavour, we recruit the best in technical, scientific and industrial expertise. With a view to supporting the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we have freely shared our knowledge to improve understanding; increased productivity of hand sanitiser products by 40%; and safeguarded supplies for customers in the defence, education and healthcare sectors. If you have any questions or would like to try our hand sanitisers, please contact our Customer Service Advisor team at sales@cleenol.co.uk or by calling +44 (0) 1295 251721.

Cleenol's Safety Data Sheets (SDS) have all been updated to take account of recent changes in legislation, and in particular changes to hazard classifications and signs. Our statutory obligation to provide customers with SDS on hazardous products at or before the time of delivery will be satisfied by emailing the relevant data sheets at the time that orders are placed. Customers may also obtain data sheets upon request by emailing sales@cleenol.co.uk

Currently, the supply of hand sanitiser is very important to everyone to reduce the risk of the spread of coronavirus. With this in mind we understand it may be tempting to make excessive profits while demand for hand sanitiser increases day-by-day. Yet it is our responsibility to attempt to minimise this within our customer base. Therefore, we must duly advise that any Cleenol customer found to be profiteering from the coronavirus outbreak will be removed from our supply list. We all have a duty of care towards the community, particularly the elderly and the vulnerable, and this must be taken seriously. We are sure you will understand our strict approach to this issue: we feel it is our obligation to protect the vulnerable in our society and eliminate profiteering from a challenging issue. We thank you for your understanding at this time.

We have tested three of our products for efficacy against coronavirus and we are delighted that they are some of the first in the world to have been proven to stop the virus in its tracks. We have worked closely with a laboratory in Scotland where they have confirmed that the following products are now effective in killing enveloped viruses: Medisan 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitizing Gel, Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer and Virabact Multi Surface Cleaners. Statement from Cleenol’s Managing Director, Sam Greaves: “We have yet to see how coronavirus will progress. Meanwhile, thorough testing of our products against the virus has taken place and we are pleased to let our customers know these positive results against the EN 14476:2013 standard.”

There are now more than 20,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in China, and over 150 in 23 other countries – as of 4 February 2020. Matt Hancock, the British Health Secretary, has stated that the number of new cases is doubling every five days, and will be an ongoing concern for months. In the UK there are currently two confirmed cases of coronavirus, both Chinese nationals who are being treated in Newcastle, and 94 repatriated British nationals are in quarantine in the Wirral, to see if they develop symptoms. There are currently no vaccines or a cure for coronavirus, and antibiotics will not work. Recovery depends on initial health – how strong the sufferer’s immune system is to begin with. With 425 deaths so far – and rising – the concern about protection from coronavirus is something that all businesses need to be aware of. High demand for cleaning products Our products are currently selling fast – everything that can be used to protect workplaces, staff and customers from coronavirus is flying off the shelves. From gloves and face masks, to environmental decontamination products and biocidal sanitisers, we have seen a rise in sales, and we are aware that the situation is very fluid. Our products can help to protect against many viruses, but there are more ways that you can help your customers deal with any outbreak. Measures to stay safe Although testing on this particular virus is still being completed, we know that similar viruses are spread through coughing and sneezing, so it is appropriate to use similar protection measures when dealing with coronavirus. Hand washing Effective hand washing is the best first line of defence against coronavirus. Follow a proper, thorough hand washing routine. Avoid touching surfaces that could have been affected Although it is not possible to determine how long the coronavirus survives on surfaces (anything from hours to months), it is good practice to use a biocidal cleaner like our Broad Spectrum Sanitizer, which is non-fragranced and food-safe. Stay at least six feet away from an infected person who coughs or sneezes This is standard hospital guidelines for the prevention of flu spreading – and as this virus seems to be similar in behaviour, it is a good idea to treat it the same. If you want added protection from breathing in droplets, then face masks are a good option. Millions of masks and counting China is running out of face masks, suits and goggles; they can produce, at full capacity, 20 million masks a day. But with the current situation where several provinces in China have made it compulsory to wear masks in public, a combined population of 300 million are in need. Panic buying and the phased return of workers after the Lunar New Year has meant that they are only working at 60-70% capacity. There are currently no recommendations about compulsory mask wearing outside of China. Yet as new cases are reported every day and the recommendations by the World Health Organisation change, keeping abreast of the developments will ensure you don’t run out of protective products. Make sure your customers have access to face masks, goggles and latex gloves, as well as efficient, lab-tested cleaning supplies, by getting your Cleenol products in stock quickly. Find out more Call: 01295 251721 Email: sales@cleenol.co.uk

The UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has now released a statement outlining the Government’s position on the Coronavirus outbreak. The Government have stated that although the risk level to the general public is still classed as ‘moderate’ the UK faces a “serious and imminent threat”. During this statement, Matt Hancock described new powers that can forcibly quarantine people for their own safety, as an “effective means of delaying and preventing further transmission”. Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside and Kents Hill Park Conference Centre in Milton Keynes have been designated as ‘isolation’ facilities. The last of the British nationals have been transported from China to Milton Keynes after arriving on a Government plane in Brize Norton on Sunday 9th February. The official death toll has risen to over 1000, and the number of confirmed cases amongst British people has doubled to eight. More than 40,000 people have tested positive for this new strand of the virus, named 2019-nCoV, since the outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December. With the NHS stating that they are well-equipped to deal with a pandemic, following robust infection control measures, it is important that the public takes steps to protect themselves from infection. Here at Cleenol, we have worked diligently to provide information, resources and equipment to our customers, to allow them to supply the very latest protection against infectious diseases. Cleenol's Managing Director, Sam Greaves, has released the following statement: “Here at Cleenol, we pride ourselves on being flexible in times of need. With the increased global spread of the novel coronavirus we are now filling orders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support all our customers. With global sales high for these specific products, raw material and packaging are also in high demand. This is a great opportunity for all our customers to look at reusing their 500ml and 50ml bottles, reducing the amount of single use plastic in circulation. Please contact us for more information. Cleenol is dedicated to helping our clients provide solutions for their customers at this difficult time. As such, we have put together a range of products that are laboratory tested to be efficient against bacteria and viruses.” We're here to help: If you require any specific help, information or guidance on our products, please call us on 01295 251721 and speak to our knowledgeable team.

COSHH (Control of substances Hazardous to Health Regulations) objectives are to prevent, or adequately control exposure to substances that are hazardous to health. An employer must assess the risks from those hazardous substances to their employees and others, before any work with that hazardous substance commences. Substances that might be harmful: Chemicals and products containing chemicals Fumes, mists and vapours Dust Gases Biological Agents (i.e. bacteria) Nanoparticles As employers, it is our responsibility to protect our employees from harm. At Cleenol we apply the principles of good practice by continual improvement via: Risk assessments Engineering control measures Information, instruction and training Monitoring and health surveillance Planning for emergencies Our three measures To ensure constant adherence to the requirements of COSHH we focus on the following fundamental principles: 1. Understanding the health hazards of the hazardous substances that we use and the supply of Safety data Sheets which are available via our website portal for all of our products.. 2. Eliminating or reducing the risks associated with handling and storage of hazardous substances with the provision of engineering control measures and personal protective equipment.. 3. Educating, instructing and training all staff on the risks and the measures we undertake to control any hazards. Records of this training are kept on file. To provide a clear picture that our control measures remain effective, we have implemented constant monitoring and health surveillance systems. Planning for emergencies Planning for emergencies is something that is essential for all businesses, but needs special consideration when harmful substances are concerned. Continual training and development regarding COSHH is something that we at Cleenol are pleased to offer our customers. As a result, in late 2018, we launched a website dedicated to online COSHH Awareness training. Initially rolled out to select customers to get feedback and test our course for usability, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. We are now rolling this out to all our customers – an online training portal that allows employers to not only deliver training remotely, but also record progress, so the course can be completed whenever is most suitable. COSHH Awareness training can now occur as and when is most appropriate for the needs of your staff, but also for your business. Progress is automatically saved, so users can pick up where they finished in the last session. We have 1300 active users and the number is growing each week! Make sure your staff are up to date with their COSHH Awareness training with Cleenol. Find out more by emailing: sales@cleenol.co.uk

New Product launch: Virabact Concentrate Red Virabact Concentrate Red is a new super-concentrated multi-purpose virucidal cleaner specially formulated to kill enveloped viruses (incl. coronaviruses). COVID-19 is an illness caused by a virus called coronavirus, specifically called SARS-CoV-2. Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrate developed to kill bacteria and viruses at a 1 min contact time. Effective against: EN 1276 – 99.999% bacteria EN 13697 – 99.99% bacteria EN 14476 – 99.99% enveloped viruses EN 1650 – 99.99% yeast EN 13697 – 99.9% yeast Dose rate: Dilute to 7.5% v/v before use (1 part product to 12 parts water). For a 750 ml flask, use 2x doses from a pelican pump or dispenser and top up with water Non-perfumed, Safe for use on both food and non-food surfaces and equipment Effective for all sectors, incl. Schools, Universities, Restaurants, Cafes, Hotels, Leisure, Kitchens, Facility management, Offices, Nursing homes, Hospitals and all Critical touch points Get in touch Call +44 (0)1295 251721 or email sales@cleenol.co.uk to speak to Customer Service.