As sustainability and public health take center stage in the UAE’s development priorities, the hygiene and cleaning industry is quietly undergoing a much-needed transformation. Traditionally reliant on strong chemical disinfectants, the sector is now shifting toward safer, more sustainable alternatives — notably, enzyme-based cleaning technologies that offer effective sanitation without the harmful byproducts associated with chlorine, alcohol, or synthetic surfactants.

This shift is not simply about swapping out products — it requires new training protocols, better public awareness, and updated regulations to reflect the evolution of cleaning science.

How Enzyme-Based Cleaning Works

Unlike chemical cleaners that rely on toxicity to eliminate bacteria or viruses, enzyme-based products use naturally occurring biological catalysts to break down organic waste — such as fats, proteins, and odors — at the molecular level. These solutions are often biodegradable, non-toxic, and pH-neutral, making them safer for people, pets, and the environment.

Globally, several brands have helped bring these products to market. Companies like Seventh Generation (USA), Ecover (Belgium), Bio-D (UK), and Nature Clean (Canada) have developed plant- and enzyme-based formulations that are now widely used in homes, schools, and eco-conscious businesses. In the UAE, enzyme solutions are also available locally through brands like ARABSABIO®, which was first showcased during COP28 and is now accessible online.

What unites these diverse solutions is a common goal: cleaning effectively without compromising air quality, water safety, or human health.

Training: The Missing Link

Adopting enzyme-based cleaners in large facilities or public institutions isn’t a plug-and-play process. Because these solutions require contact time, proper dilution, and occasionally surface pre-conditioning, training is essential. Cleaning professionals — especially in sectors like healthcare, hospitality, and aviation — must be taught new application techniques, safety protocols, and performance expectations.

Without training, users may misapply the product, judge its efficacy unfairly, or unknowingly combine it with incompatible substances. However, when properly implemented, enzyme-based cleaning can reduce allergic reactions, skin irritation, and indoor chemical buildup, all while supporting environmental goals.

Hands-on education is increasingly being rolled out by suppliers and industry trainers. But to accelerate adoption, hygiene standards and certifications must also be updated to include bio-cleaning as a valid and measurable option.

Sector Growth — and Regulatory Gaps

Sectors such as education, healthcare, and green hospitality are leading early adoption due to increased pressure to reduce indoor pollution and align with ESG targets. However, some applications — such as swimming pool sanitation — present unique challenges.

In Dubai, as in many other jurisdictions, water safety in pools is regulated based on chlorine levels. Chlorine remains the legal standard for microbial control, meaning that even if an enzyme-based pool system maintains hygiene effectively, it may not meet compliance requirements simply because it doesn’t contribute to measurable chlorine levels.

This presents a significant barrier for facilities interested in using biological alternatives. Enzyme-based pool systems often improve water clarity, reduce skin and eye irritation, and lower chemical consumption, but current regulations don’t account for these outcomes. Nor do they provide frameworks to test or validate non-chlorine systems.

To overcome this, government authorities, industry experts, and product developers must collaborate to expand sanitation benchmarks, create dual-certification pathways, and allow for performance-based approvals in line with sustainability targets. In the context of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy, this is a logical and necessary next step.

Expanding Access and Awareness

Despite the challenges, access to enzyme-based cleaning products is growing thanks to e-commerce platforms and B2B marketplaces. Brands like ARABSABIO®, Ecoworks Marine, and Branch Basics have prioritized digital distribution to make it easier for facility managers, cleaning companies, and even households to discover and test safer alternatives.

While not all products are created equal — and effectiveness depends heavily on formulation and use — the increasing diversity of brands available today reflects a broader industry awakening to the long-term risks of overusing chemicals.

For now, many of these products are still best applied in surface cleaning, air purification systems, and high-risk environments where chemical exposure is a concern. But as regulatory bodies begin to modernize guidelines, enzyme-based cleaning could become a default solution in many more applications.

Moving Forward: Smarter Cleaning for a Sustainable Future

Cleaning is no longer a background task — it’s a frontline contributor to public health, climate goals, and workplace safety. As bio-cleaning solutions evolve, so must our training systems, compliance standards, and purchasing practices.

For the UAE to truly lead in sustainable innovation, it must create room for biological, non-toxic cleaning technologies to thrive — not just through the private sector, but through government support, updated municipal standards, and institutional readiness.

The move toward enzyme-based hygiene is not only possible — it’s already underway. Now, it’s time to ensure the systems around it are ready to support long-term, scalable adoption.

About the Author – Nadiya Albishchenko
Nadiya Albishchenko is a Dubai-based global business leader specializing in international trade, sustainable innovation, and brand development. With dual Master’s degrees in International Business Management and Molecular Genetics, she bridges science and strategy to promote eco-friendly cleaning technologies. Nadiya works with businesses, institutions, and NGOs to implement enzyme-based hygiene solutions across sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, and aviation. She is a regular speaker at global forums and advocates for smarter training, digital product access, and sustainable procurement aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 vision.