The fight against the Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the world hinges on three critical measures: "Masks, Distance, Hygiene." As demand for masks and disinfectant products reached record levels due to the pandemic, some firms seized the crisis as an opportunity to enter the disinfectant business, creating yet another crisis.
M. İmer Özer, Chairman of the Board of PLAT Association of Private Label Product Manufacturers and Suppliers, noted that even companies lacking prior production infrastructure and experience in this field have begun producing disinfectants, warning that disinfectant products manufactured without adherence to standards pose a threat to human health.
Recalling the European Anti-Fraud Office's (OLAF) statement that approximately 140,000 liters of hand disinfectants posing health risks were seized across Europe, Özer emphasized that hand disinfectants produced by a Turkish company and containing high levels of methanol have caused serious damage to Turkey's image.
Let us not endanger our health while disinfecting our hands against the Covid-19 virus. PLAT Association Board Chairman İmer Özer stated that disinfectant products must be manufactured by companies holding a Biocidal Authorisation, and that companies without this authorisation cannot produce or market any products with disinfectant properties. Özer noted that for exports of these products to Europe, the requirement for a company to hold a Biocidal Authorisation in Turkey is not enforced.
Emphasizing the need to distinguish between those who have "entered" the disinfectant production business and true "entrepreneurs" taking advantage of the crisis,
İmer Özer said, "With the pandemic, demand for disinfectant products increased and as consumers faced difficulties obtaining these products on the market, unfortunately some companies whose main business is not this started producing disinfectants. But regrettably, they merely 'entered' the field.
We must distinguish between those who 'entered' this business and genuine entrepreneurs. Some opportunistic firms exporting these products not only to the domestic market but also to Europe and other countries are undermining our country's image. Turkey has companies that do their work properly, have invested in the sector for years, create employment, and generate added value to the country's economy through exports. When the pandemic emerged, some companies that were not actually producing disinfectants saw the opportunity in this field and started producing them.
However, as demand normalised during the pandemic and the crisis environment disappeared, they redirected the disinfectant raw materials they had in stock toward exports. The European Anti-Fraud Office's (OLAF) announcement that approximately 140,000 liters of hand disinfectants from Turkey containing high levels of methanol were seized is truly disheartening. While Turkey has strong and reliable exporters in this field, rotten apples are damaging our country's image and harming our exports. Everyone should do their own job and such opportunism should not be permitted. As I have always emphasised, if you enter a product business during a crisis, you will eventually suffer losses, and that is exactly what happened. Unfortunately, such examples damage not only themselves but also people's health and our country's image abroad. In the end, the real losers are the companies doing their job properly and our exports."
Disinfectant exports up 2,350% in 11 months, cologne exports up 218%
PLAT Association Chairman İmer Özer stated that the chemical industry has strong manufacturing and exporting companies, and that record increases have been achieved in disinfectant and cologne exports with the pandemic, providing information on export figures. According to data from the Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association (İKMİB), Turkey's disinfectant exports during the 11-month period of January-November 2020 rose to USD 223 million with a 2,350% increase compared to the same period of the previous year. During the same period, cologne exports increased 218% compared to the previous year, reaching USD 26.2 million.
Consumers should examine labels carefully when purchasing hand disinfectants and prefer reliable manufacturers
PLAT Association Chairman stated that ethyl alcohol should be used in colognes and other hand disinfectants as well as hand cleaning gels that provide hand hygiene against coronavirus. He emphasized that hand disinfectants containing methanol, which is also used in illegal alcohol production and causes deaths through this route, will produce negative effects on skin health.
Addressing the importance of strict inspection of products sold as disinfectants on the market in protecting public health,
İmer Özer said: "The standards that disinfectant products must have and the companies and products that possess the necessary Biocidal Authorisation for the production of these products are clearly defined. Market inspections are of utmost importance in protecting public health and preventing non-standard products from reaching the market. Consumers also need to be vigilant about hand disinfectants.
They should prefer products from reliable companies and brands. Products described as 'disinfectants' must be manufactured by companies holding a Biocidal Authorisation. Read labels carefully and research the manufacturer. The Authorised Biocidal Products List is published on the website of the Ministry of Health Public Health General Directorate Environmental Health Department. They can safely use hand disinfectants manufactured with Biocidal Authorisation. Consumer awareness is of great importance as with all other products. In situations where we cannot wash our hands with water and soap, cologne produced by reliable companies and brands is one of the most effective solutions for maintaining hand hygiene. We have recently rediscovered the traditional use and importance of cologne. We see that new generations are also consuming cologne heavily."
| DISINFECTANT EXPORTS UP 2,350% |
| 2019 - 11 MONTHS |
2020 - 11 MONTHS |
| USD 9,500,000 |
USD 223,000,000 |
Source: İKMİB
| COLOGNE EXPORTS UP 218% |
| 2019 - 11 MONTHS |
2020 - 11 MONTHS |
| USD 8,200,000 |
USD 26,200,000 |
Source: İKMİB
