HOCl Knowledge Base

A disinfectant with a 99.9% kill rate leaves around 1,000 live bacteria out of a population of one million. These remaining microorganisms can quickly repopulate and return to the original contamination level within hours.

In contrast, Aqualution’s hypochlorous acid, with a 99.9999% kill rate, leaves 0 to 1 bacteria alive—dramatically reducing the chance of regrowth and delivering far greater assurance of hygiene and safety.

Hypochlorous acid has many uses but there are different regulations in different countries. In the UK it is widely used as a hard and soft surface disinfectant, either in a spray and wipe format or via a fogging machine.  It is used in pet care products and also in cosmetics and medical deivces. Hypochlorous is also a very effective deodoriser and can be used in food preparation and food eating areas with no concerns.

Our hypochlorous acid has been approved as part of the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012) for uses PT1-5:

PT1: Human hygiene.

Products in this group are biocidal products used for human hygiene purposes, applied on or in contact with human skin or scalps for the primary purpose of disinfecting the skin or scalp.

*PT1 is currently not authorised in the UK.

PT2: Disinfectants and algaecides not intended for direct application to humans or animals.

Used for the disinfection of surfaces, materials, equipment and furniture which are not used for direct contact with food or feeding stuffs.

PT3: Veterinary hygiene.

Used for veterinary hygiene purposes such as disinfectants, disinfecting soaps, oral or corporal hygiene products or with anti-microbial function. Used to disinfect the materials and surfaces associated with the housing or transportation of animals.

PT4: Food and feed area.

Used for the disinfection of equipment, containers, consumption utensils, surfaces or pipework associated with the production, transport, storage or consumption of food or feed (including drinking water) for humans and animals.

PT5: Drinking water.

Used for the disinfection of drinking water for both humans and animals.

Aqualution’s hypochlorous acid effectively kills bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungus, moulds and spores.

Our products have been independently laboratory-tested and proven effective against a wide range of micro-organisms. This is supported by extensive commercial use across healthcare, food processing, agriculture, and more—most of which undergo regular efficacy re-validations to ensure consistent performance. [Click here to view all BS EN certifications.]

The Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012) concerns the placing on the market and use of biocidal products, which are used to protect humans, animals, materials or articles against harmful organisms like pests or bacteria, by the action of the active substances contained in the biocidal product. This regulation aims to improve the functioning of the biocidal products market in the EU, while ensuring a high level of protection for humans, animals and the environment.

All biocidal products require an authorisation and the active substances contained in that biocidal product must be approved to be legally on sale.

As of 29th June 2021, in compliance with the specified timescale, Aqualution Systems Ltd has filed its UK BPR Active Substance Dossiers with the HSE and are therefore also a legal manufacturer and supplier of hypochlorous acid for the UK market.

The pH of all Aqualution’s products is neutral at pH 7.2. This means it won’t sting, in non-irritating and non-sensitising.

Aqualution’s hypochlorous acid has a strength of 150ppm free available chlorine.

Our biocidal products need to be protected from UV rays to ensure continued stability. Therefore, all our biocide packaging is put in black HDPE bottles so that they are UV protected to a very high standard. For cosmetics we would recommend HDPE plastic is used but this can be in any colour.

Hypochlorous acid should be stored out of direct sunlight. As it poses no health and safety concerns there are no specific storage requirements.

The answer is no. HOCl is a powerful disinfectant yet perfectly gentle and you do not require PPE when using this as a disinfectant or sanitiser.

HOCl works much quicker than any disinfectant product you can buy from the supermarket. Typically, at least 5 times faster, working in seconds not minutes, and it kills more germs (including viruses), killing up to 99.9999% of all pathogens.

If kept as recommended, our HOCl will remain active for at least 12-18 months from the date of manufacture. 

The term ‘acid’ scares many, but Hypochlorous Acid (HOCI) is a weak acid and an oxidising agent produced using only water and salt that is passed through a digitalised process of electricity called electrolysis. HOCl is a gentle disinfectant and is fine to use around children.

HOCl can be used in a number of ways to help care for your pets, such as regular spraying of their bedding, neutralising pets smells, reducing bacteria and can be used directly on their skin, eyes and mouth as an antiseptic.

Yes. Hypochlorous acid is used extensively in cosmetic products to cleanse and refresh the skin.