News & InsightsNewsletterLegislation Hub

Foresight

Foresight
AboutContactLog in
Book a Demo
Foresight logo
All News & Insights

EU Commission Okays Formic Acid in Various Biocidal Products

BPR
24
January 2024
•
452
Dr Steven Brennan
The approval comes with specific conditions to ensure the safe use of formic acid in various biocidal products.
Person using a microscope in a lab
Quick prompts

AI Generated

Get to the point quicker with prompts - a smarter way to get the information you need from our articles.

Summarise this article

AI Assistant

This feature and much more is available on our platform. If you would like early access, please leave your email and we'll get in touch.

We'll be in touch when the Assistant is ready.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Mountains

The European Commission has officially approved the use of formic acid as an active substance in biocidal products for product-types 2, 3, 4, and 5. This decision, detailed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2643, marks a significant development in the regulation of biocides within the EU.

Background of the Approval

Formic acid, known chemically as methanoic acid, has undergone thorough evaluation for its use in specific biocidal product types:

  • Product-type 2: Disinfectants and algaecides not intended for direct application to humans or animals.
  • Product-type 3: Veterinary hygiene.
  • Product-type 4: Food and feed area.
  • Product-type 5: Drinking water.

The assessment, spearheaded by Belgium as the rapporteur Member State, involved rigorous evaluation by competent authorities and discussions within the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The Biocidal Products Committee, after considering these assessments, recommended approval, recognizing the efficacy of formic acid in these applications while emphasising adherence to safety and usage conditions.

Key Conditions for Authorisation

The Commission's approval comes with specific conditions to ensure the safe use of formic acid in these biocidal products. These conditions focus on detailed product assessments, particularly concerning exposures, risks, and efficacy linked to uses not covered in the Union-level risk assessment. Moreover, the regulation pays special attention to:

  • Professional and non-professional users.
  • Secondary exposure of the general public and children.
  • Potential residues in food or feed, necessitating the assessment of maximum residue levels (MRLs) and appropriate risk mitigation measures.

Implications for Stakeholders

With the approval effective from November 1, 2024, stakeholders in the biocides sector, including manufacturers and users, must align with the new regulation. This involves adapting to the specific conditions set out for each product type, especially concerning safety assessments and compliance with established MRLs. This proactive approach will help ensure that the integration of formic acid into biocidal products is both effective and safe, meeting the high standards of consumer and environmental safety expected in the EU.

Moving Forward

As the regulation becomes binding and directly applicable in all Member States, it is incumbent upon relevant parties to take necessary preparatory measures. These measures include adjusting product formulations, updating safety data sheets, and ensuring that all stakeholders are informed about the new requirements and conditions for the use of formic acid in biocidal products.

For more detailed information on the regulation and its implications, stakeholders are encouraged to review the full text of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2643, available at the EU's official journal.

This is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to regulate and ensure the safe use of biocidal products in the European Union. The approval of formic acid for specific product types underlines the EU's commitment to public health and environmental safety, while also fostering innovation in the biocides sector.

Read the source story

The European Commission has officially approved the use of formic acid as an active substance in biocidal products for product-types 2, 3, 4, and 5. This decision, detailed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2643, marks a significant development in the regulation of biocides within the EU.

Read this article now for free!

You have read 3 articles.
Create a free account
or
Log in
to finish reading this article now.

Subscribe to our weekly digest

Sign up to receive our newsletter every Tuesday and get access to all of our content.

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
This is some text inside of a div block.

Trusted by professionals at

Dupont
ECHA - European Chemicals Agency
Energizer
Chemours
This is some text inside of a div block.

Get Foresight Today

Stay compliant, reduce risk, and protect your business with our AI-powered chemical policy monitoring—tailored just for you.

Global monitoring of 1,200+ sources
Expert-reviewed, trusted regulatory alerts
Instant risk identification for 350k+ substances

Ready to supercharge your policy monitoring workflow?

We’ll be in touch soon with more details and support to help you get started.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Share with a friend
Copy link

Related Articles

Defence weaponsEU Proposes to Expand REACH Defence Exemptions to Accelerate Readiness

June 20, 2025

Pet mouseBPC-55: EU Committee Approves Biocide Renewals, Union Authorisations and Technical Updates

May 23, 2025

Personal care productsECHA's Assessment Highlights Potential Risks of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

January 30, 2025

Foresight regulatory experts
Streamline your chemical compliance
Easy-to-use product compliance management for small and mid-sized manufacturers — mitigate risk and protect market access.
Get started
Subscribe to Foresight's newsletter
Stay ahead with the latest news & insights
Join 1,000s of compliance professionals getting the latest insights right to their inbox for free, every Tuesday.
100% free. No spam. Unsubscribe any time.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Stay ahead with the latest news & insights
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter covering news, events, and expert insights.

Related articles

Defence weapons

EU Proposes to Expand REACH Defence Exemptions to Accelerate Readiness

The EU proposes expanded REACH defence exemptions to fast-track chemical regulatory processes vital to defence readiness and industry compliance.

20

Jun 2025

REACH
POPs
CLP
Pet mouse

BPC-55: EU Committee Approves Biocide Renewals, Union Authorisations and Technical Updates

ECHA’s BPC delivers key decisions on rodenticides, disinfectants, and procedural reforms at its May 2025 meeting. Understand the agenda outcomes.

23

May 2025

BPR
Personal care products

ECHA's Assessment Highlights Potential Risks of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

ECHA's new assessment on quaternary ammonium compounds may have future impacts on disinfectants, pest control, and personal care products.

30

Jan 2025

CLP
REACH
BPR
Foresight
Providing critical insights, analysis, and guidance to help businesses anticipate changes, make informed decisions, and stay ahead.
News & Insights
Newsletter
Legislation Hub
Coverage
Contact
About
© 2025 Foresight. All rights reserved.
SitemapTerms of servicePrivacy policyCookie policy