CD222 - Proposal for a European Regulation concerning the placing on the market and use of biocidal products

HSE seeks comments on a proposed European Regulation for the placing on the market and use of biocidal products. The European Commission has proposed a European Regulation for the placing on the market and use of biocidal products. This would replace the Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC and transposed into UK law by the Biocidal Products Regulations 2001.

Once in force (scheduled for January 2013), the European Regulation would directly act on all Member States, including the UK.

The proposal is a reaction to the general view that the current regulatory regime for biocidal products is not working.

The proposal keeps the concept of assessing active substances at EU level for inclusion in a positive list and then authorising biocidal products for the market. However it aims to improve and update certain elements of the system.

Among the key changes proposed are:

• Extending the regulatory regime to cover treated materials containing biocides.
• Adopting a centralised Community product authorisation scheme for some products.
• Requiring mandatory data-sharing of vertebrate animal test data.
• Reducing the burden of data requirements.
• Harmonising the fee structure across Member States (but not the fees themselves).

• View the consultative document
• Respond to the consultation using the online questionnaire or download a form to complete

Responses should be sent by 5 October 2009 to:

Bethan Slater
International Chemicals Unit
HSE Westminster Office
Sanctuary Buildings
20 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT