Introduction

An overview of how products commonly known as disinfectants and sterilants are defined and regulated can be found on the TGA website. This guidance relates to products that meet the definition of a listed disinfectant. Listed disinfectants make specific claims, as outlined in the claim guide, and must be included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and meet all requirements as set out in the following legislation before they can be supplied:

The following guidance contains information about:

Information required to support your application

Once the TGA has received your application to list your disinfectant product on the ARTG, the TGA will request a copy of labelling. Alternatively you can attach the labelling for all products to the application. Based on the labelling information, further information may be requested to support the assessment of the application, as outlined below.

The TGA recommends that you retain the following information, which may be requested from you during either the pre-market evaluation or post-market review of your product/s:

• Information relating to the formulation of ingredients, including fragrance and colourants.
• Microbial efficacy studies refer to TGA instructions for disinfectant testing.
• Stability data (for a new ingredient), if requested, to the extent that it is available. If you are asked to provide stability data and this information is not complete, you will need to supply preliminary stability data and indicate the protocol to be used for monitoring product performance, until a final shelf life determination is made. Your approach must be consistent with the TGA Instructions for Disinfectant Testing.
• Toxicity data.
• Relevant manufacturing quality control certificates and associated descriptions.
• A Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
• Name and address for all manufacturers involved in the process of producing the disinfectant.
• Details of the manufacturing steps, including the identity of the manufacturer responsible for the process (all disinfectants are exempt from GMP requirements under Item 13 Schedule 7 of the Therapeutic Goods Regulation 1990).
• Records of complaints or adverse events.

Formulation

All ingredients included in the formulation of therapeutic goods supplied in Australia must be identified using the relevant Australian Approved Names (AANs) or Proprietary ingredients. The Sponsor must include the full formulation of the product within the application prior to approval.

Australian approved names (AANs)

The TGA develops and maintains approved terminology to ensure accuracy and consistency of the information about goods on the ARTG.

These approved terms must be used to identify ingredients in your listed disinfectant:

• When applying to list goods on the ARTG via the TGA Business System (TBS).
• On labels and packaging for therapeutic goods.
• Product Information documents provided with the goods.

Proprietary ingredients

Proprietary ingredients are entered into the TGA Business System (TBS) by the TGA, using details submitted by the supplier of the ingredient or by a medicine sponsor (on behalf of the supplier) using the Notification of a new proprietary ingredient form. This allows for the capture of complex formulation details and other relevant information, and the provision of a unique name and number. Sponsors may select proprietary ingredients using the assigned ingredient ID number for use in their application for a listed disinfectant.

Proprietary ingredient formulations for disinfectants are fragrances or colouring ingredients and are considered to be 'commercial-in-confidence'.

Microbial efficacy

You will need to adhere to the test requirements as set out in the TGA Instructions for Disinfectant Testing in order to demonstrate microbial efficacy. If requested, you will need to provide all test methodologies and results - a summary will be insufficient. Full test methodologies and results will need to be in English with clear indexing and organisation. A summary of tests and results in English is not acceptable.

Toxicity

Manufacturers must take reasonable steps to ensure the disinfectant product is safe when used as intended, or if there is accidental contact with the product.

There is no expectation that studies will need to be initiated to assemble the necessary data. While a new study might be needed for a new chemical entity, it is expected that this section can be satisfied with information available through a competent search of the available literature and/or databases.

The TGA will accept information generated for other regulatory agencies. It is understood that most available toxicity data will be in relation to the individual components of a formulation rather than the formulation itself.

Toxicity tests on disinfectants used on surfaces should clearly identify any potential hazards of the formulation and risks to the user, through either intended use or accidental body contact. These hazards and risks must be clearly identified on labels and in product information.

Manufacturers should consider the following when determining toxicity of their product:

• Acute oral toxicity
• Inhalation toxicity
• Skin irritation
• Sensitisation
• Eye irritation
• Environmental toxicity
• Any other known toxicity of an active ingredient or where the basic poisons related safety information suggests other forms of toxicity not mentioned above may be a hazard (e.g. neurotoxicity)
• Basic poisons-related safety information is required for all disinfectants. The basic poisons-related safety information is that which would satisfy the Poisons Standard or Safety Data Sheet requirements of:

Additional information should also be supplied for the following, where applicable:

• Acute Oral toxicity: Additional information on acute oral toxicity should be collected unless it can be shown that the disinfectant is unlikely to be used in a way that will cause it to contact the digestive tract. The information should relate to tests conducted at concentrations equivalent to those likely to be encountered in use.
• Inhalation toxicity, skin irritation, sensitisation and eye irritation: Additional information on residue tests should be collected unless it can be shown that the disinfectants or their residues are unlikely to come into contact with skin, mucous membrane or eyes. The basic poisons related safety information is that which would satisfy the Poisons Standard30 or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) requirements of the Safe Work Australia's Model Code of Practice: Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals.
• Environmental toxicity: Ecotoxicological information should be held for all listable disinfectants, according to the requirements outlined by any relevant state or federal environmental protection legislation. The information provided should be reflected in appropriate handling, storage, transport, use, disposal, waste management and neutralisation instructions. The potential for reuse or recycling should be considered whenever appropriate.

Packaging requirements

The container for a disinfectant must:

• be impervious to and incapable of reacting with its contents
• be sufficiently strong to prevent leakage arising from ordinary risks of handling, storage or transport
• have sufficient excess capacity to prevent breakage of the container or leakage of the contents if the contents are likely to expand during handling, storage or transport.

Labelling requirements

All listed disinfectants must have labelling in place that includes the following:

• approved name(s) of all ingredient(s) that are active against pathogenic or food spoilage micro-organisms
• acceptable common name of the Disinfectant (Schedule 1 TGO 104)
• quantity/proportions of ingredients(s) which result or contribute to the disinfectant action, and proportion of available chlorine/bromine/iodine if applicable (expressed as either % w/w, %w/v, % m/m, % m/v or % v/v)
• quantity of disinfectant
• batch number
• expiry date or use by date
• the AUST L number (recommended but not compulsory)
• name and address of the manufacturer or sponsor
• clear and adequate instructions for use, including:
  • details on how to prepare the disinfectant and use it to ensure specifications are met, including details on: type of diluent, the required strength, and any limitations on quality, contact time, allowable temperature range, minimum effective concentration and pH range if significant
  • installation instructions (if applicable)
  • limitations of use, including reuse period (if applicable) and managing dilution factor if disinfectant is reused
  • where reuse is provided for, complete information on how to properly monitor the effectiveness of the reused solution (use of test strips)
  • limitations on storage conditions for stock solutions and activated solution.
• For a disinfectant that contains chlorhexidine, the words:
  • 'Not to be used on skin'.

How to make your application to TGA

Applications for multiple products

Many sponsors have a range of listed disinfectants in different presentations, or may sell differently branded versions of the same product. Generally these products are considered to be separate and distinct therapeutic goods under section 16 of the Act and therefore require individual listing on the ARTG.

Listed disinfectants are able to be treated as a single therapeutic good if they have the following common characteristics:

• The sponsor
• The principal manufacturer
• They are a disinfectant with specific claims.
• Are not subject to different standards.
• Contain the same ingredient that is active in their final formulation.

If your listed disinfectants meet these requirements, you can apply for listing of these products with one application.

For further information refer to the Therapeutic Goods (Single Therapeutic Goods) Order No.1 of 1991.

If you wish to enter additional products that come within the requirement of the Single Goods Order onto an existing ARTG entry, you can request a variation of the listing of your therapeutic goods. This can be done by submitting a Device Change Request, which will be considered by the Delegate of the Secretary under section 9D of the Act.

Submitting your application

To submit your application for your disinfectant to be listed on the ARTG, you will need access to the TGA's Business Services system (TBS).

Step 1 - Login to TGA Business Services

Enter your user name and password.

Step 2 - Select the relevant application type

From the Applications menu, under the Medical Device list, select Device/OTG Application.

Step 3 - Complete the application form and attach all relevant documents

You'll be taken to Page 1 of the application form to complete/confirm the required details. To begin, select Other Therapeutic Good - Listed disinfectant from the list in the Application for field.

Complete the required details for Page 1, remembering to add a Sponsor's own reference before continuing. Select the Next button to continue.

Business Services system (TBS)

Page 2 requires the relevant manufacturer's details.

To search for your manufacturer, select the Search button under Manufacturer name which opens the search window.

Enter your search term and select the Search button. This will display a list of possible manufacturers which match (or closely match) your search term.

Once you have selected the correct manufacturer, select the Add to Application button.

To select the correct GMDN code for your application, select the Search button under the GMDN code and description field which will open the GMDN search window.

You can search by the GMDN code, or text in the GMDN description. In the case of a hard surface disinfectant the GMDN code is based on the Common name of the product (i.e. Disinfectant, household/commercial grade or Disinfectant, hospital grade). Once you have found the correct GMDN, select it from the search results, and press OK to add the details to your application. Once you have completed Page 2, select Next to continue.

The final page has a:

• summary of the application information for you to review
• section to electronically attach supporting information
• declaration you need to agree to before you can submit your application.

Attaching supporting documents

To attach supporting information, select the Add button in the Function to Attach/Add Supporting Information field which will open the File Upload window.

Select the Document type from the dropdown list. You should attach all relevant documents from your computer. Select the Browse button and then select the relevant file from your computer to attach. Select the Add button to attach this file to your application.

Note: Follow this process for each file you need to attach.

Each attachment will be listed under the Function to Attach/Add Supporting Information field.

If you need to delete any attachments, select Remove next to the attachment you want to delete.

Before you can submit your application, you must agree to the declaration:

When the form has been completed, select Validate. This will ensure that the form has all the required information to allow your form to be submitted.

If you filled in all required fields in the application form, you will be able to submit your application.

Fees and charges

Application fee

The current application fee for listed disinfectants can be found in our Schedule of fees and charges under 'Other listed and registered therapeutic goods (OTGs)''. The application fee is specifically stated under 'Listed OTG fees' as 'Application fee'.

Evaluation fee

Listed disinfectants may attract an evaluation fee in addition to the initial application fee if they contain a new ingredient or make new specific claims. The current evaluation fee can be found in our Schedule of fees and charges under 'Other listed and registered therapeutic goods (OTGs)'. The fee is specifically stated under 'Listed OTG fees' as 'Fee for evaluating documents and information relating to the safety of a listed therapeutic device'.

Annual charges

Once your product is listed on the ARTG, annual charges for maintaining your listing will apply. The current annual charge for listed disinfectants can be found in our Schedule of fees and charges under 'Other listed and registered therapeutic goods (OTGs)'. The fee is specifically stated under 'Annual charges' as 'Listed OTG: tampons and disinfectants'.

Post-market - ongoing responsibilities

Once a disinfectant has been listed on the ARTG, it must continue to meet all the regulatory, safety and performance requirements and standards that were required for the approval.

There are mandatory requirements for all sponsors of disinfectants, including:

• telling us about any changes to the composition of your product;
• retaining distribution records for five years;
• reporting adverse events; and
• ensuring the information on your ARTG listing remains current.

The TGA may contact the sponsor to request information to demonstrate that the disinfectant continues to comply with the regulations.

Advertising

Advertising for disinfectants (including the label) must comply with all applicable therapeutic goods advertising requirements. These include:

• If the disinfectant is not included in the ARTG and it is not exempt from the requirement to be included in the ARTG, it cannot be advertised to the public (subsection 42DL (12) of the Act). Claims to be able to supply such a disinfectant to any party are also prohibited (subsection 22(6) of the Act).
• Disinfectants included in the ARTG can only be promoted for those purposes included in the ARTG and (where relevant) the label. The promotion of 'off-label' use to any audience is prohibited (subsections 22(2) to (5) of the Act).
• Advertising to the public for disinfectants must comply with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code (the Code).
  • Note there are particular requirements for 'other therapeutic goods' (which includes disinfectants) in sections 12 and 13 of the Code, which prescribe the mandatory information that must appear in advertising.
  • Disinfectant advertising to the public must comply with all other relevant provisions of the Code.
• Before advertising disinfectants to consumers, you should check to see if your advertising material (for example, posters, media and social media advertising) contains restricted and/or prohibited representations, as defined in the Code.
• The TGA does not require advertising for disinfectants to appear in specified media to be pre-approved under the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990.

Varying a disinfectant entry that is in the ARTG

If your disinfectant product is already listed on the ARTG, and you wish to vary either the labelling, formulation or other aspects of the manufacture of the product, the sponsor must apply to the TGA for approval prior to supplying the product.

You may submit an application to the TGA via a Device Change Request form (DCR) through the TGA Business Services link on the TGA website. Guidance on when an application is required is included in the following table, entitled Notifying TGA of changes to listed disinfectants.

If your disinfectant product is already listed on the ARTG, and you wish to vary the product in a way that does NOT change the formulation or aspects of manufacturer or labelling (i.e. varying the fragrance or colour of a product) the sponsor must submit a Device Change Request as soon as practicable and no later than three months after the implementation of the change. Refer to the following table.

When applying for a variation, you must provide information to validate the variation, as set out in the section below.

Notifying TGA of variations to listed disinfectants in the ARTG

There are two types of changes:

1. variations to product information in relation to Registered and Listed Disinfectants. This information relates to the quality, safety and effective use of the goods, including information regarding the usefulness and limitations of the goods;
2. additions of products to grouped listings. All changes must be made in accordance with legislative requirements.

Fees for variations (approvals)

All variations requiring approval attract a processing fee and if approval is required for listed goods, an evaluation fee may also be payable.

See Schedule of fees and charges

A	denotes the sponsor must receive Approval from the TGA prior to change being made. A Device Change request must be submitted.
N	denotes that Notification by the sponsor to the TGA is required as soon as practicable, and no later than three months after implementation of the change. A Device Change request must be submitted.
R	denotes that Notification required directly to the TBS as soon as practicable, and no later than three months after implementation of the change. No fee is required in sponsor address or contact change.
*	denotes the change may require a new registration or listing.
-	denotes No Approval or Notification is required. Changes may be made without reference to the TGA.

Proposed changes

Proposed change	Listed Disinfectant	Additional information
Sponsor/Manufacturer
Change in sponsor name (same sponsor)	R
Sponsor transfer	R
Change in sponsor address	R
Change of principal manufacturer	N*	Test dat a may be requested
Change of principal manufacturer's name only	N
Change of site of manufacture	N*	Test data may be requested
Finished product details
Change in physical or chemical properties	A	Test data may be requested
Formulation
Change in amount of active ingredient	N	Test data may be requested
Addition or deletion of active ingredient	N*	Test data may be requested
Change in amounts of excipients	N	Test data may be requested
Addition or deletion of excipient	N
Active raw ingredients/excipients
Change in the composition of a proprietary ingredient	N
Quality control
Alteration to TGA accepted test methods: Changes which maintain or improve analytical performance Other changes Swap to another test method	A	Test data may be requested
Narrowing the specification range within existing limits	N
Packaging
Change of supplier of container only (same specifications)	-
Change of container (different material specifications) or container closure	N^	^ for products covered by Poison Standard (SUSMP) only
Labelling
Change of information on the label for product's use/description, claims, indications, contact times or shelf life	A	Test data will be requested

Version	Description of change	Author	Effective date
V1.0	Original publication	Therapeutic Goods Administration	July 2019
V1.1	Replaced references to Safe Work Australia's National Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances [NOHSC: 2012(1994)] with Safe Work Australia's Model Code of Practice: Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals	Therapeutic Goods Administration	April 2020
V1.2	Minor updates	Therapeutic Goods Administration	May 2021

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