The National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) and the Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR)

The NPIS is an organisation supported by the Department of Health, which is responsible for providing a year-round service for health care staff on the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients who may have been poisoned.

All companies who place biocidal products on the market have a duty under BPR to inform the NPIS centre in Birmingham, which is responsible for receiving and disseminating product safety information for pesticides, agrochemicals, biocides and veterinary products marketed in the UK.

Certain information must be provided to the NPIS immediately upon placing a biocidal product on the market for the first time. For existing biocidal products the information should have been provided before 14 May 2003 but can still be submitted.

The information you should submit to the NPIS is outlined in Schedule 8 of BPR.

The required information is also outlined below:

• Name of the biocidal product.
• If the biocidal product is authorised or registered under the regulations:
  • the use for which the product is authorised or registered;
  • name, address, telephone number and fax number of authorisation or registration holder.
• The date on which the product was first placed on the UK market.
• The name, address, telephone number, email address and fax number of the:
  • manufacturer of the biocidal product;
  • importer of the product;
  • person to be contacted in an emergency.
• Description of the packaging of the product, including its size and type.
• The pH, physical state and colour of the product.
• Identity of the products ingredients and their concentration in metric units.
• Effects on human health of contact with the biocidal products.
• Particulars of any likely direct or indirect adverse side effects and any directions for first aid.
• Any other information relating to the health and safety of humans, which is given on the product label.

You should ensure that the information given to the NPIS is kept up to date.

NPIS will also accept a copy of the product's safety data sheet plus any additionally required information.

The information can be sent by post or electronically to:

Dr Allister Vale
National Poisons Information Service
(Birmingham Centre)
City Hospital
Dudley Road
Birmingham
B18 7QH

email: msds@npis.org