Methanol in winter screenwash and de-icers: 7 of 50 batches over the limit, six of them above 3 %
The UOKiK laboratory in Łódź tested 50 batches of winter screenwash, screenwash concentrate and windscreen de-icer taken in Trade Inspection checks in 2025. Seven batches exceeded the permitted methanol content — in consumer products it must be below 0.6 % by mass under Annex XVII to the REACH Regulation.
- The checks were carried out by all Trade Inspection inspectorates at 39 businesses — 20 running retail outlets and 19 large retail chains. They tested 26 batches of winter screenwash, 20 batches of de-icer and 4 batches of winter screenwash concentrate.
- In 6 batches the methanol concentration exceeded 3 %; the exact value was not determined because such results were above the quantification range of the method used in the UOKiK laboratory in Łódź.
- In one batch the primary sample gave 0.617 % methanol with a result uncertainty of 0.081 %, and the control sample 0.69 %.
- Outcome: 4 decisions ordering businesses to reimburse testing costs, 3 cases pending; information on the irregularities went to the State Sanitary Inspection, and most businesses withdrew the non-compliant goods from sale. If the limit is exceeded the product must be withdrawn and the inspected business bears the cost of testing.
Source: UOKiK — Za dużo metanolu – kontrola Inspekcji Handlowej (30.01.2026)