Pulling together in a crisis

Eversheds Sutherland assists INEOS on the production of hand sanitiser in response to Covid-19 crisis

Eversheds Sutherland has advised INEOS, a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, speciality chemicals and oil products, on the production and supply of millions of bottles of hand sanitiser, in response to the Covid-19 crisis. INEOS is giving away millions of bottles of hand sanitiser to the NHS in the UK and to hospitals across Europe.

An international cross-practice team from Eversheds Sutherland assisted INEOS with legal support as it committed to build hand sanitiser facilities in the UK, France and Germany, each within ten days in order to help tackle the spread of Covid-19.

Led by UK partner Jane Southworth, Eversheds Sutherland’s Environment, Health & Safety, and Intellectual Property teams advised INEOS on the technical requirements in relation to the regulation of biocides in the UK, Germany and France. The team also advised on labelling requirements across the different jurisdictions.

Jane Southworth, Partner, Environment Health & Safety at Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“INEOS set themselves an ambitious target of manufacturing one million new bottles of hand sanitiser each month to help combat the spread of Covid-19. It was a pleasure to support them in delivering such a key product to both the healthcare and the consumer sector at such a critical time. Our team had to be agile in responding to an ever changing regulatory landscape and adapt its approach to support INEOS’ changing requirements which were constantly evolving during the crisis.”

The cross-practice team was supported in the UK by Tim Hill, Head of Environment, Health & Safety; Catherine Manning, Principal Associate; Philip Crosbie, Principal Associate; Natascha Gaut, Senior Associate; Elodie Briere, Associate, all from Eversheds Sutherland’s Environment, Health & Safety team, and Kate Ellis Legal Director, Intellectual Property.

International support was provided by Dr Tobias Maier, Co-Head of International Health & Life Sciences, and Magdalena Anna Kotyrba, Senior Associate, in Germany; and Gaetan Cordier, Partner, and Camille Lehuby, Associate, from the Intellectual Property team, in France.

Eversheds Sutherland has held an advisory relationship with INEOS for over 20 years across multiple jurisdictions.