APHIS-Authorized Disinfectants for Use When Handling APHIS Regulated 

Garbage 

Entities wishing to handle garbage regulated by the United States Department 

of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 

must be approved to do so and have a regulated garbage compliance 

agreement. Approval granted by APHIS to handle APHIS regulated garbage 

does not reduce or eliminate any entity of their legal duty and responsibility to 

comply with all other applicable Federal, State, and local regulatory 

requirements. By signing a regulated garbage compliance agreement with 

APHIS or United States Customs and Border Protection, the signatory certifies 

that his/her establishment has met or will meet the requirements of all 

applicable environmental protection laws prior to handling garbage regulated 

by APHIS under the authority of USDA. 

List of APHIS-Authorized Disinfectants for use When 

Handling APHIS Regulated Garbage 

VirkonTM S (EPA Reg. No. 39967-137) and Clorox® disinfectants are 

authorized for use to mitigate the potential risk of the introduction and spread 

of plant and animal pests and diseases. 

VirkonTM S (EPA Reg. No. 39967-137) 

Sodium hypochlorite products: 

7.50% Clorox® products with EPA Registration Number 5813-120 

7.55% Clorox® products with EPA Registration Number 5813-121 

8.25% Clorox® products with EPA Registration Number 67619-32 

! CAUTION 

Brand names for sodium hypochlorite products may vary. You must ensure the EPA 

Registration Number and concentration match those listed. 

Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures 

Follow the procedures below to mix and apply VirkonTM S and Clorox®. 

VirkonTM S (EPA Reg. No. 39967-137) 

Refer to the instructions that follow to mix and apply VirkonTM S (EPA Reg. 

No. 39967-137) on APHIS regulated garbage: 

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APHIS-Authorized Disinfectants for Use When Handling APHIS Regulated Garbage 

Non-Food Handling Areas 

1. Mix VirkonTM S (EPA Reg. No. 39967-137) according to the label for a 1% 

solution. 

2. Remove regulated garbage (liquid and solid) from contaminated surfaces 

prior to applying VirkonTM S. Apply any absorbent material, as needed. 

Dispose all collected regulated garbage and materials used in cleaning and 

disinfection as regulated garbage. 

3. Clean/scrub the affected area with detergent. 

4. Flush the affected area with clean water. 

5. Apply the VirkonTM S (EPA Reg. No. 39967-137) disinfectant solution 

generously; wet the entire affected area. Read the disinfectant label to 

determine how long the disinfectant should remain on the surfaces. 

Reapply disinfectant if necessary to maintain wet surface for time specified 

in label. 

6. Flush area with clean water and air dry per disinfectant label. 

7. Repeat steps for application disinfectant, as needed. 

Storage 

VirkonTM S (EPA Reg. No. 39967-137): Refer to the manufacturer’s label 

for the expiration date. 

Once mixed, VirkonTM S (EPA Reg. No. 39967-137) may only be used for 

7 days from the date of mixing. Write the name “VirkonTM S” and the date 

the solution was mixed on the container holding the solution. 

Food Handling Areas 

Do not use VirkonTM S (EPA Reg. No. 39967-137) in food handling areas, 

including aircraft passenger areas and gallies. Use only sanitizers approved by 

EPA for use in food handling areas. Ensure the sanitizer is allowed by the 

location where it is being used. 

1. Prior to applying sanitizer, remove all regulated garbage (liquid and solid) 

from contaminated surfaces. Apply an absorbent material as needed. 

Dispose all collected regulated garbage and materials used in cleaning and 

sanitizing as regulated garbage. 

2. Follow the instructions on the sanitizer label. 

Clorox® 

The following sodium hypochlorite products are authorized for use as 

disinfectants to mitigate the potential risk of the introduction and spread of 

plant and animal pests and diseases. 

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APHIS-Authorized Disinfectants for Use When Handling APHIS Regulated Garbage 

7.50% Clorox® products with EPA Registration Number 5813-120 

7.55% Clorox® products with EPA Registration Number 5813-121 

8.25% Clorox® products with EPA Registration Number 67619-32 

! CAUTION 

Brand names for sodium hypochlorite products may vary. You must ensure the EPA 

Registration Number and concentration match those listed. 

Use disinfectants in a manner consistent with the Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) label and the master label directions. 

1. Search for the approved EPA registration number to access the master label 

using the EPA Website. Enter the registration number in the “EPA 

Registration Number” field. 

2. Disinfectants must be registered in the State where they will be used. For 

information on product registration by state, visit the National Pesticide 

Information Retrieval System. Select a State. In the “EPA Registration 

Number” box, search for the approved registration number. Select the 

search box at the bottom of the page. Note: Some states may not authorize 

the use of all Clorox® products. 

Regulated garbage compliance agreement holders are authorized to use 

Clorox® for disinfection of surfaces contaminated with regulated garbage, 

provided the use of Clorox® is in compliance with the laws and regulations 

within your State or U.S. territory/possession. 

NOTICE 

Per EPA label guidance, use of Clorox® may have precautionary statements and list 

certain handling and usage requirements, including cautionary information about 

use on certain surfaces, cautionary information regarding product corrosive properties, personal protective equipment requirements, as well as environmental safety 

and storage steps to be taken by the user. 

Non-Food Handling Areas 

1. Clean and disinfect all surfaces contaminated with regulated garbage, 

including non-disposable items such as tools, as outlined below. 

2. Remove all regulated garbage (liquid and solid) from contaminated 

surfaces prior to applying detergent or disinfectant. Apply any absorbent 

material as needed. Dispose all collected regulated garbage, including 

disposable materials used in cleaning and disinfection, as regulated 

garbage. 

3. Clean/scrub the affected area with detergent. 

4. Flush the affected area with clean water. 

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APHIS-Authorized Disinfectants for Use When Handling APHIS Regulated Garbage 

5. Clorox® 7.50% or 7.55%: per label instructions, prepare the disinfectant 

solution by adding 1 part product to 7 parts water (8 ounces to 56 ounces 

water) for 8,900 ppm available chlorine. 

7.50% Clorox® products with EPA Registration Number 5813-120 

7.55% Clorox® products with EPA Registration Number 5813-121 

6. Clorox® 8.25%: per label instructions, prepare the disinfectant solution by 

adding 1 part product to 9 parts water (8 ounces Clorox® to 72 ounces 

water) for approximately 7,800 ppm available chlorine. 

8.25% Clorox® products with EPA Registration Number 67619-32 

7. Apply the mixed bleach dilution to the surface and allow it to remain on the 

surface for 5 minutes (unless otherwise indicated on the Clorox® product 

label.) 

8. Rinse the surface with clean water and allow the surface to dry. 

Storage 

1. After the original Clorox® bottle is opened, it may only be used for a 

maximum of two months. 

2. When Clorox® is diluted, it may only be used for a 24-hour period post 

dilution. The words “Bleach Solution” and the date and time of dilution 

must be written on the container holding the diluted solution. 

Food Handling Areas 

Use only sanitizers approved by EPA for use in food handling areas. Ensure the 

sanitizer is allowed by the location where it is being used. 

1. Remove all regulated garbage (liquid and solid) from contaminated 

surfaces prior to applying sanitizer. Apply an absorbent material, as 

needed. Dispose all collected regulated garbage and materials used in 

cleaning and sanitizing as regulated garbage. 

2. Follow the instructions on the sanitizer label. 

Additional Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures 

Treat the dock area and the area around grinders, sterilizers, incinerators, 

compactors and/or dumpsters, so that surfaces are impervious to water and can 

be cleaned and disinfected. 

Treat all wooden surfaces in garbage handling areas (including storage areas 

and inside transport vehicles) so that the surfaces are impervious to water and 

can be cleaned and disinfected. 

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APHIS-Authorized Disinfectants for Use When Handling APHIS Regulated Garbage 

Articles Requiring Cleaning and Disinfection 

Clean and disinfect any article, means of conveyance, or other surface 

contaminated with regulated garbage with one of the APHIS-authorized 

disinfectants to meet regulatory requirements before the items are reused. 

Clean portable articles over a drain leading to an approved sewage system or 

directly into a containment tank for proper disposal. 

Materials and Equipment 

The establishment must have the following items immediately available for 

cleaning and disinfection in all work areas and on each conveyance during the 

handling of regulated garbage spills. 

3-mil plastic, leak-proof bags (uniquely identified) to hold collected 

materials 

Copy of all applicable Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and disinfectant labels, 

if the original containers are not available 

Detergent 

Equipment to pick up solid material (such as a shovel or broom and 

dustpan) 

Material to contain and/or absorb liquids 

One of the APHIS-authorized disinfectants 

Personal protective equipment (such as rubber or latex gloves and safety 

goggles) and/or other equipment as required by the SDS, disinfectant 

labels and the establishment 

Sanitizer approved by EPA for use on and around food contact surfaces, as 

applicable 

Scrub brush 

Seals, such as ties or tape, to seal 3 mil plastic bags 

Source of clean water adequate to achieve proper cleaning and 

disinfection 

Spray bottle or plastic container to mix and apply disinfectant (must have 

markings to show volume of water to add or another measuring devise for 

the water) and materials to label bottle/container 

Record Keeping 

The establishment maintains records of disinfectant and sanitizer used in 

association with the handling of regulated garbage. This includes disinfectant 

used for both routine cleaning and disinfection and spills. Records must 

include at a minimum: 

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APHIS-Authorized Disinfectants for Use When Handling APHIS Regulated Garbage 

Date and time of notification of spills to APHIS or CBP, as applicable 

Date of disinfectant or sanitizer used 

Name of employee notifying APHIS or CBP, as applicable 

Specific location of disinfectant or sanitizer used 

Volume and concentration of disinfectant or sanitizer used 

Keep these records for 3 years from the date of disinfectant or sanitizer usage. 

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