RR826 - UK impact assessment of the proposed biocides regulation
In 2009 the European Commission proposed a directly-acting European Regulation on placing on the market and use of biocidal products. The Regulation will replace the existing Biocidal Products Directive (98/8/EC), and aims to streamline and reduce the cost of the existing regime while maintaining the level of protection to human and animal health and the environment that it currently offers.
Following the production of an EU-level Impact Assessment by the European Commission, HSE, who lead on negotiations on biocides on behalf of UK Government, commissioned Entec UK Ltd to complete a full UK impact assessment for the Regulation. This report outlines the conclusions of this assessment, and sets out the costs, benefits and other impacts on the UK of the main elements of the Regulation.
The impacts considered are based on preferred options included in the Commission's proposal of 12 June 2009. The report identifies savings from improved product authorisation procedures and from provisions for data-sharing and data-waiving, though some increased costs are expected as a result of the scope increase to cover treated articles and materials. Non-monetised benefits identified include an estimated increase in the number of biocidal products which will be brought to market, and a reduction in animal testing. Overall the Impact Assessment estimates that the Regulation as proposed by the Commission would lead to a cost saving of between £135m and £264m for UK industry over 10 years. The study also identifies possible areas where savings could be greater if further simplification and streamlining of the regime is achieved.
This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
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