Businesses operating in Northern Ireland (NI) are being reminded of crucial upcoming deadlines for the approval of active substances under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (EU BPR). The deadlines are pivotal for companies wishing to keep their biocidal products on the NI market, emphasizing the need for timely application for product authorisation.
Key Approval Deadlines Announced
The EU has announced the following active substance approval dates, all set for 1 February 2025:
- Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium Extracts: Two types of extracts from Tanacetum cinerariifolium, obtained either with hydrocarbon solvents or supercritical CO2, are highlighted. Both extracts are classified under product type 18.
- Ammonium Propionate Reaction Mass: A complex compound involving various ammonium propionate derivatives, targeted for product types 2 and 4, also faces the same approval deadline.
Suppliers of biocidal products containing these substances must apply for EU BPR product authorisation by the stated dates to maintain their market presence in NI.
Expiry Dates to Phase Out Certain Products
The EU BPR also outlines expiry dates for certain active substance/product type combinations, necessitating their phase-out from the NI market:
- Propiconazole: This fungicide, used in product type 9, has an expiry date of 31 May 2025.
- Carbon Dioxide: Listed under product type 15, carbon dioxide’s approval will expire on the same date.
Post expiry, products containing these substances will be barred from the NI market, and articles treated with such products will face market restrictions.
Affected businesses will be contacted regarding the cancellation or revocation of their authorisation or approval, with a provision to submit comments or additional information before a final decision is made.
Renewal Submission Deadline Approaches
The EU BPR mandates that active substance approvals will expire unless a renewal application is submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) at least 550 days before their expiry date. The upcoming deadline for renewal submission is for Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, strain ABTS-351, under product type 18, set for 27 August 2025.
This call to action encourages any stakeholder, be it an individual, company, or consortium, to support the renewal of critical active substances. Failure to renew the approval will result in the prohibition of the active substance’s use in biocidal products of the relevant product type in NI.
Businesses are urged to verify the EU Article 95 List for the original supporters of these substances and consider proactive measures to ensure continuous market access.
The upcoming deadlines underscore the importance of staying informed and taking necessary actions to comply with regulatory requirements, safeguarding the availability of biocidal products in Northern Ireland.
