For Release:  September 8, 2015

EPA will host a Disinfection Hierarchy Stakeholder Workshop and corresponding webinar on October 7, 2015, from 8:30am – 5:00pm, ET. 

The workshop will be held at One Potomac Yard South, 2777 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202 in the first floor conference room. Registration is required for both in person and webinar attendees. Participants are encouraged to arrive early to allow time to go through security and must follow specific ID requirements in order to enter the building.

Workshop Details

EPA is considering expanding its use of disinfection hierarchy concepts for the registration of public health antimicrobial pesticides. In its simplest form, disinfection hierarchy describes the descending order of susceptibility of classes of microorganisms to antimicrobial chemicals. The agency’s goals are (1) to provide guidance to health care officials and the public on the most effective type of registered antimicrobial products on the market to combat an emerging pathogen and (2) to increase the efficiency of and lower the costs associated with registering antimicrobial pesticides while maintaining a high level of public health protection.

The workshop will be focused on the scientific merits of the hierarchy and will provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss:

• the current science on which disinfection hierarchy concepts are based;
• scientific issues that may present challenges for its use in registering antimicrobial pesticide products; and,
• ideas on how to address these issues.

EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs has developed a white paper on disinfection hierarchy concepts that will serve as the basis for discussion during the workshop.

To learn more about the workshop and to register.

Space is limited, so please register early. Registration for in-person attendance will continue until the space is filled. Webinar registration will continue until the morning of October 7.