IN RESPONSE to queries from the Singapore Exchange (SGX) regarding its newly developed sanitiser and cleaning product, Tritech Group on Tuesday said it had written to three government public-health agencies to obtain their approval and clearance for the manufacture and sale of the product.

 

Based on the responses the group received from the National Environment Agency (NEA), the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), its board of directors concluded that the agencies had given their in-principle approval for the manufacture and sale of the product, given that they either said they had no objections or did not require the company to obtain specific licences.

 

On Sept 14, Tritech announced that it had expanded to the sanitiser and disinfectant industry with its proprietary product called VaVie Clean Wash Sanitize (CWS), which was developed using the group' s water and membrane technology.

 

In a statement, it said that NEA, HSA and SFA had " in principle approved the manufacture and sales of the CWS product in Singapore as the ingredients were classified as non-hazardous and of food-grade quality" .

 

Following this statement, NEA contacted the group by e-mail on Sept 17, asking it to clarify its statement, which then led to Tritech' s clarification on Sept 18.

 

In this second statement, the group clarified that it " should not be implied that NEA, SFA or HSA authorised or endorsed the CWS product" .

 

Tritech added that NEA had informed the group that " no hazardous substances licence or permit from (the agency) was required for the import, export, local sale, buy locally, store and use" of the CWS product HSA said no clearance was needed from its end for the import or supply of the product as hand sanitisers did not need approval by the agency. SFA said it had " no objection to the use of the CWS product to wash fruit and vegetables" .

 

The group said on Tuesday that its CWS product appears in the list of household products on NEA' s website (for surface disinfection of Covid-19), which the NEA e-mail clarified was meant to provide a reference source for the general public, and did not represent approval for the manufacture and sale of the product.

 

The company added that its Sept 14 statement was to inform shareholders and the public that the group had obtained clearance from the relevant government agencies for the manufacture and sale of its product.

 

" It was not the intention of the company to mislead or give the impression that such agencies had authorised or endorsed the product."

Firm had also claimed its VaVie Clean Wash Sanitize had been approved by NEA and SFA

 

THE Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Friday told The Business Times that it had, in fact, not approved the manufacture and sales of Tritech Group' s newly developed cleaning product.

 

Previously, Tritech said in a statement on Sept 14 that it has expanded to the sanitiser and disinfectant industry with a newly developed product called VaVie Clean Wash Sanitize (CWS), which was created using its water and membrane technology.

 

Produced with purified water and food-grade materials by using electrical ionisation technology, VaVie CWS is an environmentally friendly, odourless, colourless and alcohol-free cleaning solution with high alkalinity, the water and environment group said.

 

It added that the National Environmental Agency (NEA), Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) had " in principle approved the manufacture and sales of the CWS product in Singapore as the ingredients are classified as non-hazardous and of food grade quality" . In an email to BT, HSA said that since CWS is intended for use on external surfaces, to remove stubborn oil and dirt stains, sterilise, and to wash fruits and vegetables, it is not a health product and thus " not under the purview of the HSA" .

 

In a late night clarification, Tritech said its earlier statement should not be implied that NEA, SFA or HSA authorised or endorsed the CWS product.

WATER and environment firm Tritech Group on Monday said it has expanded to the sanitiser and disinfectant industry with a newly developed product.

 

The proprietary product, VaVie Clean Wash Sanitize (CWS), was created using the group' s water and membrane technology and expertise, Catalist-listed Tritech said in a press statement on Monday.

 

The National Environment Agency, the Singapore Food Agency and the Health Sciences Authority have given their in-principle approval for the sale and manufacturing of the product in Singapore, as the ingredients are classified as non-hazardous and of food grade quality, Tritech added.

 

Produced with purified water and food-grade materials by using electrical ionisation technology, VaVie CWS is an environmentally friendly, odourless, colourless and alcohol-free cleaning solution with high alkalinity, Tritech noted.

 

According to the company, the product has been tested by Microchem Laboratory in the US and found to be effective in killing more than 99.9 per cent of bacteria and at least 99.9 per cent of human coronaviruses after 15 seconds. It can also be used to remove stubborn oil and dirt stains, sterilise surfaces and wash fruits and vegetables, Tritech said.

 

Given the increased emphasis on personal hygiene amid the coronavirus outbreak, there is now a " vast opportunity" in the sanitiser and disinfectant industry, the company noted.

 

Its managing director Jeffrey Wang said the industry' s growth reflects a change in consumer behaviour and increased awareness about cleanliness.

 

" This presented a unique opportunity for the group to diversify its product lines and expand its revenue streams," Mr Wang added.

 

Tritech is looking to sell the product to the retail, commercial and industrial markets. This will allow the group' s advanced membrane and water technology to expand from municipal and industrial application into household, individual and office use.

 

Tritech has production facilities in Singapore and Qingdao, China for Vavie CWS. Batch production has started, and the new product is expected to contribute to revenue in this financial year ending March 31, 2021.