Brussels, 12/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 12 June 2009, the European Commission presented draft legislation to increase the safety of biocide products used and marketed in the European Union. It recommends phasing out the most hazardous substances, particularly those that may cause cancer, and to introduce new rules for articles such as furniture and textiles treated with biocides, which are not covered by existing legislation. It introduces simplified legislation and provides new incentives for companies to develop safer products against harmful pests and germs. The Helsinki-based European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will be involved in the authorisation of some of these products through a centralised approach. The proposal should come into force in 2013.
Biocides are used to suppress organisms such as pests and germs (i.e. moulds and bacteria) that are harmful to human or animal health, and include insect repellents, disinfectants and industrial chemicals such as anti-fouling paints for ships. The draft legislation published on Friday introduces new criteria to prevent the use of the most hazardous active substances, particularly if they cause cancer or fertility problems, and replaces them with safer alternatives where possible. Products containing identified substances of high concern will be subject to comparative assessment so that the products with the highest risk will be eliminated and only safe products remain on the market. The new rules will also apply to articles that have been treated with biocides, for example to preserve the quality and function of furniture and clothing; they may only be treated with authorised biocides. Treated articles will be labelled with warnings so that consumers can make an informed choice and can protect children and allergy sufferers.
To promote the use of low-risk biocides and newly discovered substances, the Commission is proposing that they be authorised in the EU. Centralised authorisation should ensure that such products are more easily available throughout the entire EU market. ECHA, which is already responsible for managing REACH, will carry out scientific and technical work related to this type of authorisation. ECHA will also coordinate work on the scientific risk assessment of active substances, a task carried out in the past by Commission's Joint Research Centre in Ispra (Italy). Most biocidal products will continue to be authorised by member states. Rules on the mutual recognition of existing authorisations will be simplified to speed-up decision-making, facilitate access to the market of other EU member states, and to avoid duplicating work.
As the proposal will turn the existing directive on biocides into a regulation, no transposition into national law will be required (because regulations are directly applicable in member states). The new regulation includes measures to reduce animal testing. (O.L./transl.fl)