Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR) has a redefined scope from the old Biocidal Products Directive

The Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR), brought in to replace the Biocidal Products Directive (Directive 98/8/EC) in 2013, has a widened scope which now encompasses substances not previously covered in the original directive. Article 93 of the BPR helps to specify the transitional measures for biocidal products which were not covered by the Biocidal Products Directive Scope.

By 1st September 2016, companies will need to apply for approval of active substances now covered by the BPR. The new scope includes two main groups of substances:

• “Active substances in food contact materials for surface action. Example: antimicrobial substances used on plastic chopping boards to give them an antimicrobial surface (product-type 4, disinfection of material which may have contact with food);”
• “In situ generated active substances with precursors that were not in the scope of the directive because they were not placed on the market, or because no claim was made that these precursors could be used for a biocidal purpose. Example: ozone generated from oxygen from the air (product-type 5, disinfection of drinking water).”

Companies are required to provide ECHA with a dossier on the active substance through R4BP 3.

If an application is not made by the deadline, the biocidal product may only be placed on the EU market until 1 September 2017.

For further information, please see the ECHA Article

ENDS