Which agency regulates and approves the efficacy of products used for infection control?

• A. Environmental Protection Agency
• B. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention
• C. Food And Drug Administration
• D. National Institutes Of Health

Answer: (A)

Disinfection and sterilization products are regulated as pesticides, so the agency that approves their efficacy is the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA requires data showing a product can reliably kill the targeted microorganisms and assigns approved labeling for how and where to use it. This registration process ensures the claims you rely on in infection control (like on surfaces in a spa or clinic) are backed by evidence. Other agencies don’t perform this regulatory role: the FDA oversees safety and effectiveness of drugs and medical devices, the CDC provides guidance but does not regulate product approvals, and the NIH funds research rather than regulate product claims.