The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has provided crucial updates concerning the regulation of biocides in Northern Ireland (NI). With the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (EU BPR) functioning independently from Great Britain's biocide regulations, these changes are essential for maintaining market access in NI.
New approvals under the EU BPR have been granted for:
- Sulfur dioxide generated from sulfur by combustion in product type 04
- Formic acid (CAS 64-18-6 EC 200-579-1) in product types 02, 03, 04, and 05
Suppliers offering products with these substances in NI must submit applications for EU BPR product authorisation by October 1, 2024, for sulfur dioxide, and by November 1, 2024, for formic acid.
For more information on the application process, please click here.
Action Required for Biocidal Product Suppliers
Biocidal product suppliers are urged to apply for product authorisation to ensure their products remain on the NI market. Suppliers of active substances should also assess whether they need to apply for technical equivalence.
New EU Active Substance Non-Approval Decisions
In recent developments, specific biocidal products must be phased off the NI market. The active substance Silver zinc zeolite (CAS 130328-20-0 EC 603-404-0) in product type 04 will not be approved. Consequently:
- Supply of affected products in NI must cease after December 18, 2024.
- Use of these products in NI must end by June 18, 2025.
- Treated articles with this substance cannot enter NI supply chains or be imported post June 15, 2024.
If the non-approval decision of this substance might cause significant negative impacts, stakeholders are encouraged to contact the HSE.
