RICHARD ELSMORE
JSC International Limited, Simpson House, Windsor Court, Clarence Drive, Harrogate, HG1 2PE, United Kingdom

Abstract

The new Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) will repeal and replace the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) and is intended to build on the principles laid down in the BPD while introducing a number of significant changes to the way biocides are regulated within the EU. The BPR is intended to simplify and streamline existing EU requirements without reducing the level of protection offered to health and the environment. This article looks at the requirements of the BPR and some of the possible implications for industry and consumers of this new legislation.

INTRODUCTION

Biocides are a broad group of products that are used to control unwanted organisms in many differing areas. They include household products such as disinfectants and insecticides as well as preservatives used to protect a wide range of finished goods and raw materials from biodegradation and spoilage. Historically the regulation of these products and the active substances that they contain has varied considerably across Member States within the EU with some products being regulated and others not; this varied on a country by country basis. This was considered to be a barrier to free trade within the EU and a new piece of EU legislation, the Biocidal Products Directive (1) was adopted in 1998. The objectives were to harmonise the regulation of biocidal products throughout the EU, to provide a high level of protection for humans, animals and the environment; and to ensure that products are sufficiently effective against target species.

The BPD originally foresaw a transitional derogation of 10 years during substance evaluation, but this 10 year work programme which was planned to be completed by 14 May 2010, was subsequently extended b ...