Biocide Regulations
The Enviropass Biocide Compliance Services
Enviropass is here to help you to:
- Assess your products against the presence of active biocides;
- Submit your dossier of biocidal products and treated articles for approval;
- Label your products;
- Comply with other applicable requirements like REACH and Safety Data Sheets.
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Biocides
Biocides are chemicals or micro-organisms that control harmful organisms, such as pest, fungi, bacteria, yeasts, moulds, algae or viruses. Some of them can have effects at the nanomaterial level.
Silver and titanium additives and ions are examples of these active substances.
Biocidal Products
Biocidal products are substances or mixtures with active biocide substances. They include:
- disinfectants: for human and veterinary hygiene, food and feed area, or drinking water;
- preservatives: like film and polymerized materials preservatives, construction material preservatives;
- pest controls: such as rodenticides, avicides, molluscicides, vermicides, piscicides, insecticides, acaricides, repellents, and attractants; and
- other biocidal products: antifouling, embalming, and taxidermist products.
Various articles contain biocidal products. These so-called 'treated articles' include:
- Electrical and electronic products (like light switches, radiators, refrigerators, headphones, etc.);
- Paints, inks, and wallpapers;
- Bathroom articles (like toilet brushes and bags)
- Clothes, pillows, blankets, etc.;
- Toys;
- Wood articles;
- Many other products.
Because of their inherent properties, biocidal products can cause toxic or other harm to non-target organisms, humans, pets, and the environment.
The EU Biocidal Products Regulation
Regulation (EU) 528/2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products has been in force in the European Union since September 1st, 2013. Also called the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), it replaces the EU Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC.
As outlined in article 1, the objective of the BPR is to harmonize the biocidal product's rules within the EU and to protect both public health and the environment.
The EU BPR Obligations
- As a manufacturer or an importer, you can't place treated articles into the EU market with biocide active substances unless they are approved.
- Specific labels, conditions, and restrictions also apply to some active substances. Label details include the names of the active substances, their properties, and instructions of use.
- Additionally, within 45 days upon request, manufacturers and importers must give information on the biocidal treatments on treated articles.
Do you have any questions or need assistance with biocide regulations ? Ask your Enviropass expert!