Jurisdiction: EU & Northern Ireland
Commencement: 9th November 2021
Amends:
- Regulation (EU) 528/2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products
Regulation (EU) 528/2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products concerns the making available on the market and use of biocidal products (‘Biocidal Products Regulation’) sets out the requirements which apply to biocidal products. The Regulation primarily concerns those manufacturers, importers, etc. who wish to place biocidal products on the market.
Biocidal products are products which are designed to control, by chemical or biological means (but not solely by physical means) harmful organisms which include not only pathogens, but also some vermin, fish and birds. Biocidal products contain one or more ‘active substances’ which act on the harmful organisms.
Before placing a harmful product on the market in an EU Member State, the person who wishes to place it on the market must ensure that:
- the active substance is ‘approved’;
- the biocidal product is ‘authorised’; and
- the product is appropriately labelled and user information provided.
The Biocidal Products Regulation is directly acting in all EU Member States.
There are several routes by which a product may become authorised. A product may be authorised in one Member State but this does not automatically allow the product to be placed on the market in other Member States – it is therefore important to ensure that the correct process has been followed if the product is to be placed on the market in other Member States.
Users must use biocidal products in accordance with any labelling and conditions which apply to the product (which information should be made available with the product). Users do not need to apply for authorisation.
The expiry date of the approval of creosote (active substance*) for use in biocidal products of product-type 8 (wood preservatives) is postponed to 31st October 2022.
*An active substance is defined as a substance or micro-organism (including viruses) that has a general or specific action against harmful organisms or on plants, parts of plants or plant products.
There are no changes in duties for organisations.
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