Technical Agreements for Biocides 2019

Technical Agreements for Biocides 2019: What You Need to Know

Biocides play an important role in our everyday lives. From the disinfectants used to clean household surfaces to the preservatives added to our food, biocides are essential to maintaining a healthy environment. However, the use of biocides must be regulated to ensure their safety and efficacy. This is where technical agreements for biocides come in.

What are technical agreements for biocides?

Technical agreements for biocides are documents that outline the technical requirements for the approval and use of biocidal products. These agreements are designed to ensure that biocidal products are safe for human health and the environment, and that they are effective in controlling harmful organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

The technical agreements for biocides are established by the European Union (EU) under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). The BPR sets out the rules for the authorization and use of biocidal products in the EU. The technical agreements for biocides are one of the tools used to enforce these rules.

What is new in the technical agreements for biocides in 2019?

The technical agreements for biocides are updated periodically to reflect changes in scientific knowledge and regulatory requirements. In 2019, several changes were made to the technical agreements for biocides.

One of the major changes was the introduction of new requirements for efficacy testing. Biocidal products must now undergo efficacy testing against relevant microorganisms, including resistant strains and biofilms. In addition, the testing must be conducted under realistic conditions, such as those found in the intended use environment.

Another change was the introduction of new requirements for the assessment of the environmental risks associated with biocidal products. The environmental risks must be assessed using a standardized methodology that takes into account the properties of the product and the environmental conditions of the intended use.

The technical agreements for biocides also now require the submission of additional data to support the safety of biocidal products. This includes data on the toxicological properties of the active substances and the formulation of the product, as well as data on the potential for the product to accumulate in the environment.

What are the implications of these changes?

The changes to the technical agreements for biocides have important implications for manufacturers and users of biocidal products. Manufacturers will need to conduct additional testing to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of their products, and will need to submit more data to support these claims.

Users of biocidal products will need to be aware of the new requirements for efficacy testing and environmental risk assessment. They may also need to adjust their use of biocidal products to comply with any new restrictions or conditions of use that may be introduced as a result of the updated technical agreements.

In summary, the technical agreements for biocides are an important tool for ensuring the safety and efficacy of biocidal products. The 2019 updates to these agreements introduce new requirements for efficacy testing, environmental risk assessment, and data submission. Manufacturers and users of biocidal products should be aware of these changes and take steps to comply with the updated requirements.