| Biocidal products contain active ingredients that are used to protect people and articles against pests or bacteria as and when needed.
Disinfectants are a type of biocidal product falling under A.I.S.E.’s product portfolio. They provide hygiene and disinfection when and where needed, and so play a part in protecting public health and supporting wellbeing.
In many parts of the world, hygiene is still a critical challenge, and lives are lost every day due to unsafe water, poor hygiene and sanitation. In Europe, hygiene standards are relatively high, but outbreaks of SARS, avian and swine flu, and MRSA have raised public awareness and concern about the spread of infectious diseases and the need for hygiene as a first line of defense. |
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Disinfectants placed on the market by
A.I.S.E. members are often niche products responding to specific hygienic needs. SMEs account for more than 70% of the companies in the market, and up to 100% in some European countries.
Biocidal Products Regulation
The
Biocidal Products Regulation (EU No 528/2012) that went into effect on 1 September 2013 regulates biocidal products in a harmonised way across the European Union to ensure that they are safe to put on the market. It repeals and replaces the 98/8/EC.
A.I.S.E. is assisting with its implementation in several ways by contributing to discussion and activities with the European Commission, the competent authorities and the European Chemicals Agency (
ECHA), and acting as a member of
Biocides for Europe (formerly know as EBPF), a CEFIC sector group.
A.I.S.E. supports the objective of a harmonised European market for biocidal products. We welcome new mechanisms introduced by the Regulation such as Union authorisation, harmonised risk assessment and the concept of biocidal product families.
Our view is that a harmonised internal market for biocidal products will help to improve product availability and provide incentives for innovation by reducing the administrative burden. It will also ensure that the same high standards for the protection of human health and the environment are applied across the European Union.
How we help
A key focus of our efforts is to minimise barriers to manufacturers, including the numerous
SMEs active in this field, for example by exploring options for joint authorisation procedures for those companies that have very similar biocidal products.
A.I.S.E. has also developed
guidance for professional users on how to use
biocidal products sustainably and safely.
Recommendations for improving EU access to biocidal products
Biocides are a crucial tool that helps destroy or control harmful organisms such as viruses, bacteria, insects, rodents. They play an important role in our daily lives. Pest control and disinfection are essential in controlling vector-borne diseases and infections from transmissible diseases, while preservatives are used to preserve a diverse variety of products and materials commonly used in industries, institutions, and households.
The Biocidal Product Regulation (the BPR) entered into force more than 8 years ago and during this time a lot of experience has been gained of the processes and concepts in the regulation and their implementation. A.I.S.E. and Biocides for Europe joined forces to analyse the BPR and its implementation to identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential opportunities for improvement. The joint report on the implementation of the BPR includes a series of recommendations to ensure that biocides continue to serve society’s needs in a safe and timely way.
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