HSC Consults on proposals for amended biocidal products regulations

HSE press release C004:06 16 March 2006

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) today published a consultative document seeking comments on proposals for the Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations 2006.

Biocidal products are used in a variety of industries to control unwanted organisms, such as animals, insects, bacteria, viruses and fungi. They are intended to kill or otherwise exert a controlling effect by chemical or biological means.

The proposed regulations will amend the Biocidal Products Regulations 2001 (BPR). These put into place procedures to allow applications to be made for use of an active substance in a biocidal product and for the authorisation for marketing and use of such biocidal products.

These amendments are required for two reasons. Firstly, to take account of requests from the European Commission (EC) for some changes to ensure that we have fully implemented the Biocidal Products Directive 98/8EC. Secondly, to take account of a series of EC Regulations that will govern the review of active substances already on the European market.

"The proposed amendments will not alter the way in which the system, established by the 2001 Regulations, operates. The HSE believes the costs for duty-holders and HSE arising from the amendments are negligible," says Garry Wiles of the HSE's Biocides and Veterinary Unit.

Further details of the changes can be found in the Consultation Document and the draft regulations at www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm

Notes to editors

1 Biocidal products are regulated across Europe under the Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC (BPD). The BPD has two central objectives:

• to harmonise the European market for biocidal products and their active substances; and
• to provide a high level of protection for humans, animals and the environment.

2 The BPD has a very wide scope, covering 23 product types including non- agricultural pesticides currently approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (i.e. wood preservatives, public hygiene insecticides, rodenticides, surface biocides and antifouling paints), as well as a wide range of biocidal products currently not requiring authorisation under other legislation (such as disinfectants, preservatives and a number of other specialist products).

3 The Biocidal Products Regulations 2001 (BPR) implement the Directive in Great Britain (GB). Northern Ireland (NI) has its own equivalent Regulations - the Biocidal Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, and will be consulting separately on amendments to these.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office