Testing Confirms Efficacy of Clorox® Products Against Variants of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) on Surfaces

April 9, 2021

Third-party testing results support scientific understanding that disinfecting products that kill COVID-19 are effective against prevalent strains of coronavirus on hard, non-porous surfaces.

OAKLAND, Calif., April 9, 2021 – Clorox today announced the results of third-party testing, confirming the efficacy of several of its most popular disinfecting products against the three most prevalent variant strains1 of SARS-CoV-2 originating in the United Kingdom, South Africa and California, U.S. This testing follows a recent announcement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stating that genetic changes to the virus do not impact the efficacy of disinfectants and all disinfectants approved to kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, will kill new strains of the virus.

“As new SARS-CoV-2 variants circle the globe, people need to have confidence and trust in the disinfecting products they rely on to keep their homes, businesses and loved ones healthy,” said Denise Garner, Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, The Clorox Company. “It’s common for us to test claims against multiple strains of a pathogen, such as influenza, to demonstrate product efficacy. Validating the science is a big part of our commitment to people – ensuring that our products help protect their homes and businesses.”

The testing was performed by an independent testing facility following ASTM E1053-20 with the viruses dried with a 5% organic soil load on a hard, non-porous surface. Clorox plans to submit the findings to the EPA for review. Products selected for testing represent the broad spectrum of Clorox disinfectants available for use in the home, businesses, schools, restaurants and healthcare facilities.

The initial wave of test results includes the following products, with more results expected in the coming weeks:

Clorox offers a number of hard surface disinfecting products approved to kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, under the EPA’s List N, and will continue to be used to help fight the spread of COVID-19 safely and effectively. For a full list of products, usage instructions and more information about disinfection and COVID-19, visit Clorox.com and CloroxPro.com.

The Clorox Company

The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with about 8,800 employees worldwide and fiscal year 2020 sales of $6.7 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products; Pine-Sol® cleaners; Liquid-Plumr® clog removers; Poett® home care products; Fresh Step® cat litter; Glad® bags and wraps; Kingsford® grilling products; Hidden Valley® dressings and sauces; Brita® water-filtration products; Burt's Bees® natural personal care products; and RenewLife®, Rainbow Light®, Natural Vitality Calm™, NeoCell® and Stop Aging Now® vitamins, minerals and supplements. The company also markets industry-leading products and technologies for professional customers, including those sold under the CloroxPro™ and Clorox Healthcare® brand names. More than 80% of the company’s sales are generated from brands that hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories.

Clorox is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. The company has been broadly recognized for its corporate responsibility efforts, listed No. 1 on the 2020 Axios Harris Poll 100 reputation rankings and included on the Barron’s 2021 100 Most Sustainable Companies list, 2021 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and the Human Rights Campaign’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index, among others. In support of its communities, The Clorox Company and its foundations contributed more than $25 million in combined cash grants, product donations and cause marketing in fiscal year 2020. For more information, visit TheCloroxCompany.com, including the Good Growth blog, and follow the company on Twitter at @CloroxCo.

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1The three strains include SARS-Related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Isolate hCoV19/England/204820464/2020 (BEI Resources # NR-54000), SARS-Related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Isolate hCoV19/South Africa/KRISP-EC-K005321/2020 (BEI Resources # NR-54008) and SARS-Related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Isolate USA/CA_CDC_5574/2020 (BEI Resources # NR-54011)

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