July 18 EU: New Biocides Regulation enters into force

From: ECHA

The Biocidal Products Regulation adopted by the Council and Parliament in the spring enters into force on 17 July. The regulatory requirements for industry will apply from 1 September 2013 and ECHA is preparing to start the new regulatory processes by that date.

The new regulation sets rules for placing biocidal products on the market. The aim is to simplify and harmonise the procedures for authorisation and at the same time ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment. As under its predecessor, the Biocidal Products Directive, only biocidal products with approved active substances may be authorised to be placed on the market. A new element in the new regulation is the Union Authorisation, allowing companies to get an authorisation for their biocidal products applicable across the whole EU.

“The new regulation means new challenges, new stakeholders and new types of experts to be recruited. It is also a sign of trust in ECHA’s ability to perform be it in difficult circumstances”, says Geert Dancet, Executive Director of ECHA.

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