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Two 3M Disinfectants Receive EPA approval for Official SARS-CoV-2 Virus Claim

As of July28th, the 3M™ Disinfectant RCT Cleaner Concentrate (#40) (US EPA registration #6836-349) and the 3M™ Quat Disinfectant Cleaner Concentrate (#5) (US EPA registration #6836-78) have been approved for the adoption of a SARS-CoV-2 efficacy claim. 

3M™ Disinfectants and General Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an outbreak of disease caused by a novel coronavirus (referred to as 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)). This is an evolving situation, and it is recommended that all concerned consult the WHO, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) websites frequently for the most updated information regarding the outbreak. Several 3M disinfectants are available for you to assess for use.


3M™ Disinfectant Concentrates and U.S. EPA Emerging Pathogen Policy

The U.S. EPA has started to approve disinfectants for the adoption of a SARS-CoV-2 efficacy claim. As of July 28th, the 3M™ Disinfectant RCT Cleaner Concentrate (#40) (US EPA registration #6836-349-10350) and the 3M™ Quat Disinfectant Cleaner Concentrate (#5) (US EPA registration #6836-78-10350) have been approved for the adoption of a SARS-CoV-2 efficacy claim. These approvals are part of the EPA’s efforts to provide the public with information on how to safely and effectively protect against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces. The EPA recently activated List N in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency that allowed manufacturers to register products with the EPA that were effective against viruses harder-to-kill than SARS-CoV-2. Currently, List N includes nine 3M™ disinfectants.

Prior to the U.S. EPA SARS-CoV-2 efficacy claim, the U.S. EPA Emerging Pathogen Policy allowed for professional judgments on effectiveness of disinfectants with current registrations with similar, representative microorganism families based on their cell structures. A person with the appropriate knowledge and technical skills to analyze such information can make a determination based on published information on disinfectant cleaners that meet the U.S. EPA Emerging Pathogen Policy for use on non-critical, hard, non-porous surfaces as defined by U.S. EPA. LIST N now includes products that meet the U.S. EPA SARS-CoV-2 efficacy claim and the U.S. EPA Emerging Pathogen Policy.

  • 3M strongly encourages our customers to refer to all relevant regulatory bodies such as WHO, U.S. CDC and U.S. EPA for guidance on specific disinfectants during this evolving outbreak. For any country, including the U.S., local regulations should always be consulted before selecting and utilizing a disinfectant cleaner. Before reviewing the 3M product information below, please note that the general and technical information, and other statements contained in this webpage and related documents and resources, are based upon both publicly-available information and 3M-internal records, tests, or experience that 3M believes to be reliable, but the accuracy, completeness, and representative nature of such information is not guaranteed. Such information is intended for people with knowledge and technical skills sufficient to assess and apply their own informed judgment to the information. Many factors beyond 3M’s control and uniquely within user’s knowledge and control can affect the use and performance of a 3M product in a particular application. As a result, customer is solely responsible for evaluating the product and determining whether it is appropriate and suitable for customer’s application.


    It is crucial to use U.S. EPA registered disinfectant solutions as they’re intended and in accordance with their label directions. Disinfectants should never be intentionally injected, ingested, inhaled, or even applied directly to the skin. 3M branded disinfectants designed for commercial use are not intended for consumer sale or use and are to be applied exclusively on non-critical hard non-porous surfaces to provide efficacy for harmful pathogens that may be present in industrial or commercial workplaces. Typical workplaces include but are not limited to hospitals, healthcare facilities and schools. There are absolutely no 3M branded disinfectants that should be intentionally injected, inhaled, or ingested or applied directly to the human skin to protect against SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19) as these solutions are for use on non-critical hard non-porous surfaces only. 3M strongly advises our customers to use disinfecting products responsibly and in accordance with the directions on the disinfectant label. If you have any questions or concerns about using 3M disinfectant cleaners, the 3M technical team is more than willing to answer and support. In these pressing times and the heightened concerns about disinfecting and cleaning, user safety should be the forefront of these applications not only for your facilities, but yourselves. Please contact your local physician for more information on what you can do for your human body to remain healthy.

The following products are U.S. EPA-registered 3M disinfectants that meet U.S. EPA’s Emerging Pathogen Policy:

  • 4 minute quat disinfectant cleaners

    EPA-registered to kill C. diff spores in 4 minutes (4306ppm)

      • Effective against Norovirus (2153ppm, 1 minute contact time), Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenan resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii without preclean.
      • pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is safer than bleach or peracetic acid. Features an NFPA rating of 0,0,0 and no personal protective equipment is required at use dilution.
      • Dissolvable tablets (approx. 3 minutes) available in gallon and quart size.
    • Products:
    • 3M™ C. Diff Solution Tablets, Quart Size
    • 3M™ C. Diff Solution Tablets, Gallon Size
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Compliance, Process and Product Training for Facility Cleaning

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    3M Academy offers free, on-demand training with easy-to-follow modules covering safety information from washing hands to disinfecting for pathogens.