EU Biocidal Product Regulations set to have major impact on cleaning industry

The regulations will be immediately enforced, and non-complying businesses will only be given a small-window to switch to one of the approved biocidal suppliers on the new list (in Article 95 of the Biocidal Products Regulations) – before fines are issued for breaching EU regulations. 

Bioscience company Genesis Biosciences believes the new regulations will positively affect the supply of biocidal products across the EU but is urging businesses to be aware of the impact of those changes on their supply chains.

Phil Caunt, the company's research and development specialist, said: "The introduction of an approved suppliers list is an important step to improving the current European Biocidal Products Regulations. The changes will create a more transparent market, and will also ensure stricter regulation of biocidal products. 

"From September 1, businesses can only purchase biocidal products from suppliers on the EU approved supplier list; therefore it’s vital that businesses understand how the regulations will impact on the supply of their biocidal products and technologies."

A biocidal product is one that contains an ‘active substance’ (organism) that can destroy or render harmless any harmful organism by any means other than physical or mechanical action.

Under the Biocidal Products Regulations (EU no. 528/2012), 22 types of biocide product types will be grouped into four groups:

• Disinfectants
• Preservative
• Pest Control
• ‘Other’ biocidal products

All biocidal products manufactured in, or imported into the EU fall under the Biocidal Products Regulations. The regulations aim to ensure the safety of biocides on the European market and to improve the assessment of the substances and products permitted for marketing in biocides.

The regulatory changes will make it obligatory for biocidal product suppliers to have a clearly identified active substance; this will aim to improve the classification of biocidal products and make the market clearer for consumers purchasing biocidal products. 

For more information visit: http://echa.europa.eu/biocides-2015