Stricter Biocide Regulations Needed to Protect Dutch Water Quality, Say Water Authorities
Dutch water authorities call for stronger biocide regulation to protect water quality and meet EU Water Framework Directive goals.
The BPC adopted opinions on the approval of 3-iodo-2-propynylbutylcarbamate (IPBC) for product-type 10 (building material preservatives) and Alpha-bromadiolone for product-type 14 (rodenticides). In parallel, the committee approved the renewal of seven additional anticoagulant rodenticides—Brodifacoum, Flocoumafen, Coumatetralyl, Chlorophacinone, Difethialone, Difenacoum, and Bromadiolone—also under product-type 14. These substances, all vitamin K antagonists, were approved with certain exclusions, including bans on non-professional use against mice and permanent baiting due to safer alternatives.
Key Insights
Union Authorisations and Use-Specific Reviews
The committee supported five Union authorisations, covering a diverse range of product types and applications:
- Active chlorine from hypochlorous acid for human and veterinary hygiene (PTs 1 & 3)
- Potassium Sorbate for storage preservation (PT 6)
- Hydrogen peroxide product families for disinfectant use in PTs 2, 3, and 4
- A major change to a PT 18 product combining pyriproxyfen and Clothianidin
The majority of these authorisations were adopted by consensus and reflect the EU's drive towards harmonised biocidal product regulation, reinforcing environmental and user safety.
Procedural and Technical Updates: Working Methods and Risk Assessment
The BPC also reviewed its working procedures for active substance revision, updating protocols for assessing biocidal active substances. A harmonised List of Endpoints (LoEP) for pyrethroid metabolites was updated, focusing on environmental degradation times (DT50 values), aligning with the latest scientific guidance. This update will support Member State authorities and companies in environmental risk assessments.
Under Article 75(1)(g), the committee adopted an opinion revising the risk assessment and mitigation measures for a hydrogen peroxide-based Union-authorised product family used against fungi, addressing application methods and aligning summary characteristics.
Three Article 38 opinions were adopted to resolve mutual recognition disputes under Article 36(1), including for biocidal products in PTs 2, 3, and 19—covering hard surface disinfectants and mosquito repellents for non-professional use.
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