Notice on Sale of Hand Sanitizer Products in Australia

Dear AliExpress sellers,

The Australian Government enacted a new legislation in November 2020 — Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020, which conducts new mandatory provisions on hand sanitizers and their labels manufactured from May 24, 2021. The Standard applies to all hand sanitizer suppliers in Australia, including manufacturers and retailers. This Standard is intended to help consumers compare different hand sanitizers so that they can make informed choices and know how to use the products safely and effectively.

Range of applicable hand sanitizer products:

The Standard stipulates that hand sanitizer means an antibacterial skin care product:

(a) that contains, or generates one or more antimicrobial active substances; and

(b) that is represented in any way to be, or is likely to be taken to be (whether because of the way in which it is presented or for any other reason):

• for use on hands when soap and water are not available; and
• applied to the hands without rinsing off; and
• intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or otherwise exert a controlling effect on any bacteria on the skin.

(c) that contains alcohol as the primary active ingredient, including but not limited to ethyl alcohol (ethanol), isopropyl alcohol, and alcohol denat.

New requirements for labeling hand sanitizer products:

(a) The amount of alcohol contained in the hand sanitizer must be shown as a percentage (%), by volume per volume (v/v), in a manner that is prominent and clearly legible in the list of ingredients or elsewhere on the container.

(b) The following warnings must be shown on the container of the product:

• Keep out of reach of children
• For external use only
• If ingested, seek immediate medical attention
• Flammable—keep away from fire and heat
• Discontinue use if skin irritation occurs

What actions shall AliExpress sellers take?

Sellers selling hand sanitizer products that fit the above definition shall check whether your products meet the above provisions of Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020. If any of your products do not comply with the Standard, you shall remove them from the AliExpress website or prevent them from being sold to Australia.

For further information or clarification, please directly contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) via the Australian safety inquiry channel (www.productsafety.gov.au).

Regulation Basis

For more information about Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020, visit the following website:

Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020

AliExpress

May 28, 2021