Biocides are chemicals and compounds designed to kill microbes but their misuse can create more potent and resilient strains of bacteria and mould, creating a long term health risk for us all.
The EU’s Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) is designed to stop manufacturers from adding biocides to products where the benefits are marginal and the 1st of September 2016 is set to be a landmark day in its implementation.
From the 1st of September all products that contain an active biocidal substance will be classified as “treated articles” and fall under the scope of the BPR. If a product is affected then the manufacturers will be forced to disclose a list of all active substances as part of the product labelling.
Anti-microbial biocides
Biocides can be added to a product for a number of different reasons. They can be used to protect the product itself from decay or they can be used to stop bacteria or mould growing in a product that could then contaminate the surrounding environment.
Much like anti-biotics, when used correct biocides can help to reduce the risks of disease and ill health but when used irresponsibly they could potentially have the opposite effect which is why the law on their use is beginning to change.
As of the 1st of September the label of a product treated with biocides must contain a statement that the treated article incorporates biocidal products and also the biocidal property attributed to the article. The label must also state the name of all active substances contained in the biocidal products used.
Go to ... HSE treated articles guidance Go to ... ECHA deadlines Go to ... Biocide treated consumer products study
Source: Kaimann UK · Copyright image: shutterstock