Biocide

A chemical used to kill a microorganism on a surface e.g., skin, hospital environment or a kitchen.

Biocides include antimicrobials and are widely used as disinfectants and antiseptics. Biocides typically have more than one molecular target. Bacteria can develop reduced sensitivity to biocides and for some, such as triclosan, this leads to reduced susceptibility to antibiotics.

Product types (European Chemicals Agency, 2021)

Product classification (FDA, 2021)