Biocidal Product Regulation

It is a requirement to comply with the Biocidal Products Regulation by purchasing active substances from suppliers listed on the Article 95 list by the set deadline of 1st September 2015, this legislation supersedes the Biocidal Product Directive (Directive 98/8/EC)

A link to the register is here: https://echa.europa.eu/support/registration

The primary purpose of the BPR is to ensure the biocide is safe to use for its application and ultimately the biocide will receive a Product Authorisation Number to enable lawful sale for a period of approximately 10 years; thereafter the product will require renewal.

The specific Product Type category (PT) for swimming pools, hot tubs and spa is Product Type Category 2 (PT2): Disinfectants and algaecides not intended for direct application to humans or animals.

Most often referred to active substance biocides in the swimming pool, spa and hot tub industry are:

 

Other names referred to as a biocide are sanitiser(s) these names are considered as biocides and impacted by the BPR irrespective if the product is no longer sold as a biocide (but has been sold as a biocide in the past – before 1st September 2015)

A number of biocides have already gone through the product dossier submission process for PT’s 1-5, and it is expected the last biocides for approval will be around 2024 (approximate)

Ultimately after a period of around 3 years (this is the typical review period for biocidal product submission) the biocide will either receive a product type approval number or will fail the process. If the biocide receives an approval an authorisation number will be issued which will be included on the label.

If a biocide fails the approval process or is not supported by the manufacture the biocide has to be withdrawn from sale. Typically this process takes approximately 12 months; 6 months for the manufacture to run down stocks and a further 6 months for the retailer / distributor to withdraw a biocide from the market.

The BPR may see fewer biocides for sale, due to costs of the authorisation process and lack of appetite from the molecule manufacturers.

Ultimately the BPR is law and is enforced in the United Kingdom by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), heavy fines can be imposed on those breaking the legislation (law). The fines will be imposed on everyone in the “chain” from the manufacturer all the way down to the retailer, ignorance of the BPR is no defence.

OPC is delighted to announce we have been compliant since before the law came into force therefore our customers can be confident when purchasing biocides from us.

*Use biocides safely.  Always read the label and product information before use