New EU Biocides Regulation enters into force

ECHA is already preparing for the new responsibilities that the Biocidal Products Regulation brings to the Agency based on the financial contribution of the European Commission. The entry into force of the Biocidal Products Regulation liberates the 2012 subsidy and posts for ECHA, so that it can recruit new staff for the administrative tasks and sign IT contracts to develop new IT tools available for the industry to notify their biocidal products. The initial web pages will be published later in the summer.

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 development of tools, processes and guidance will take full advantage of the synergies with REACH and CLP processes, which will make them easier to use for the stakeholders. As the entry into operation is already on 1 September 2013, little time is left for that development.

"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.

ECHA's task will be to coordinate the approval processes of biocidal substances and authorisation of biocidal products at the Union level. A new Biocidal Products Committee, consisting of representatives from each of the EU Member States will give its opinion on biocidal products. ECHA will also provide technical and scientific support to the industry and Member States through IT tools, guidance and the helpdesk service.