Articles treated with antibacterial agents: Outline of a strategy to reduce unjustified use

Do we need antibacterial garbage bags? A wide range of antibacterial consumer articles can be found on the Internet. Mostly there is no information on the antibacterial agents used or on their efficacy. Does this relate to bacterial resistance to antibiotics?

The release of antibacterial agents from these articles creates a constant low exposure for microorganisms.This may help accelerating the development of bacterial resistance. Important research is on-going. Can we know if an article contains antibacterial agents? New rules in EU legislation apply for treated articles.

When implemented, information will be given if an article is treated for antibacterial effects and the claimed effects will be substantiated. A strategy to prevent unjustified antibacterial articles was outlined by Nordic authority representatives, initiated by the Swedish presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.