Biocidal Products

ECHA Marks Formaldehyde-Releasing Paraformaldehyde/Benzyl Alcohol Reaction Products as Candidate for Substitution Under BPR

ECHA has updated its EU Biocidal Active Substances database to show that the active substance “formaldehyde released from the reaction products of paraformaldehyde and benzyl alcohol” is now classified as a candidate for substitution under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). This raises the regulatory bar for biocidal products using this formaldehyde‑releasing system, signalling stronger substitution pressure in future authorisations and renewals and prompting companies to evaluate safer alternatives and longer‑term reformulation options.

10 Apr 2026, 12:48echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Standing Committee on Biocidal Products Endorses Active Substance Postponements, Non-Renewal and Union Authorisations

The minutes of the EU Standing Committee on Biocidal Products’ 90th meeting (December 2025) show favourable opinions on multiple BPR dossiers, including expiry-date postponements for several insecticidal actives, a non-renewal of etofenprox, new Union authorisations, and tightly circumscribed approvals for formaldehyde-releasing substances. For biocides manufacturers and users, this signals which actives will remain available under time-limited extensions and Union authorisations, and which (such as etofenprox, cypermethrin, medetomidine and potentially dazomet) are moving toward phase-out or early review, making substitution planning and portfolio risk review increasingly urgent.

10 Apr 2026, 12:33health.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

California DPR Adds Valkarie Adjuvant and NUGEN MB5A-256 Disinfectant to Evaluation Process (Volume 2026-13)

In April 2026, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation added the Valkarie adjuvant and NUGEN MB5A‑256 quaternary‑ammonium disinfectant label to its pesticide evaluation process, marking the start of state review for these formulations.[^1^](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADPR/bulletins/410b97d#:~:text=Materials%20Entering%20Evaluation%20Process%20Volume%202026-13) For companies formulating, distributing, or relying on these products in California, this is an early signal to track potential changes to allowed uses, labelling and active‑ingredient conditions that could affect crop protection and antimicrobial product portfolios.

10 Apr 2026, 10:27content.govdelivery.comUnited States

South Korea NICS Calls for Designation of Testing and Inspection Institutions for Household Chemical Products and Biocides

South Korea's NICS has opened applications for the designation of official testing and inspection institutions for household chemical products and biocides, with a deadline of 14 April 2026. This expansion of laboratory capacity is critical for ensuring compliant market access and safety verification for consumer chemical products under the K-BPR framework.

9 Apr 2026, 14:10nics.mcee.go.krSouth Korea

Netherlands RIVM Maps Biocidal Active Substances in Livestock Manure

The Dutch RIVM has published an exploratory study identifying biocidal active substances in livestock manure and mapping their potential environmental exposure routes. This study signals increased regulatory scrutiny of agricultural biocide residues, likely leading to empirical monitoring and future risk-management measures for stable disinfectants and pest control products.

9 Apr 2026, 10:32rivm.nlNetherlands

ECHA Launches Consultation on Hexaflumuron as Candidate for Substitution Under BPR

ECHA has launched a public consultation (closing June 8, 2026) on hexaflumuron as a candidate for substitution under the Biocidal Products Regulation. This designation signals a likely phase-out or restricted approval for PT 18 insecticides, requiring industry to provide evidence for derogations or transition to alternative substances.

8 Apr 2026, 16:01echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Publishes B-Risk Video Tutorials for Bee Risk Assessment Under BPR

ECHA has released a comprehensive video tutorial series for the B-Risk calculator to standardize bee risk assessments under the Biocidal Products Regulation. Biocide manufacturers should adopt these standardized assessment methods to minimize dossier rejection risks and ensure alignment with ECHA’s evolving environmental safety expectations.

8 Apr 2026, 15:56echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Vietnam Ministry of Health Circular 05/2026/TT-BYT Bans Certain Chemicals and Requires Disclosure for Insecticidal and Disinfectant Preparations

Vietnam has finalized Circular 05/2026/TT-BYT, banning 40 substances and mandating disclosure for 87 hazardous chemicals in household and medical biocides, effective May 15, 2026. Manufacturers must audit formulations against the new lists to ensure compliance with market access bans and prepare for mandatory information disclosure requirements under the updated Law on Chemicals.

6 Apr 2026, 19:58luatvietnam.vnVietnam

Washington Department of Ecology Opens Consultation on Draft Upland Finfish Hatching and Rearing General Permit

Washington is tightening environmental controls for finfish hatcheries through a draft 2026 general permit that expands reporting and operational mandates. Businesses must prepare for rigorous chemical tracking and PCB source reduction requirements, indicating a shift toward more granular oversight of aquaculture supply chains and discharge.

5 Apr 2026, 06:14fortress.wa.govUnited States

ECHA Updates Article 94 Treated Articles List With Hydrogen Peroxide Deadlines

ECHA has updated the Article 94 list of allowed active substances for treated articles, establishing April and May 2026 dossier deadlines for hydrogen peroxide. Companies must ensure active substance applications are submitted by these dates to maintain market access for treated articles using these substance-product type combinations.

5 Apr 2026, 06:13echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands (RIVM) Adds SVHC and Endocrine-Disrupting Pesticides to Zeer Zorgwekkende Stoffen List (March 2026)

The Netherlands expanded its national list of Substances of Very High Concern (ZZS) in March 2026, adding 18 chemicals including n-hexane and various endocrine-disrupting pesticides. Dutch operators must now review permits and prioritize emission minimization or substitution to align with strict national environmental requirements that often exceed EU REACH standards.

5 Apr 2026, 04:55rvs.rivm.nlNetherlands

EU ECHA Webinar on Preparing Biocides Active-Substance Dossiers in IUCLID and R4BP 3 (21 May 2026)

ECHA will provide technical guidance on May 21, 2026, for biocidal active substance dossiers ahead of the July 1, 2026, mandatory IUCLID format deadline. Compliance teams must align dossier preparation workflows with the new format to prevent validation failures and ensure timely active substance renewals.

4 Apr 2026, 11:01echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Great Britain: HSE Proposes Not To Classify Rapeseed Oil (CAS 8002-13-9)

The UK HSE has proposed maintaining the "Unclassified" status for rapeseed oil under GB CLP, following a comprehensive hazard assessment. This confirmation provides regulatory certainty for manufacturers, ensuring no new labeling requirements or supply chain disruptions between the UK and EU markets.

3 Apr 2026, 18:03hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Commission Grants Union Authorisation For ECA Disinfect Skin Product Family 7 Under Biocidal Products Regulation

The European Commission has granted a 10-year Union authorisation for the 'ECA Disinfect skin Product family 7' biocidal products, effective from April 21, 2026. Manufacturers must ensure hand disinfection products containing hypochlorous acid comply with the specific PT1 use conditions and labeling requirements to maintain EU market access.

2 Apr 2026, 12:39eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Amends Union Authorisation for Evonik’s Hydrogen Peroxide Product Family

The EU has updated the Union authorisation for Evonik’s Hydrogen Peroxide Product Family to reflect administrative changes, including new trade names and manufacturing site updates, effective April 2021. Companies using these biocidal products must ensure internal documentation, labels, and manufacturing records align with the revised Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) to maintain compliance during inspections.

2 Apr 2026, 12:38eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

South Korea (NICS) Partially Amends Regulation On The Classification And Labelling Of Chemicals (Notice No. 2026-6)

South Korea has updated its mandatory chemical classification and labeling list (Annex 4), introducing over 70 new entries and revising several existing ones effective March 27, 2026. Manufacturers and importers must update labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) by January 2027, with an extended compliance window until July 2028 specifically for sodium hypochlorite.

2 Apr 2026, 10:26law.go.krSouth Korea

Netherlands Supreme Court Reduces Sentence in Case on Unauthorized Plant Protection Products and Document Forgery

The Netherlands Supreme Court has upheld the criminal conviction of a company manager for marketing unauthorized plant protection products and document forgery. This ruling reinforces the risk of personal criminal liability for corporate officers and signals rigorous enforcement of biocide and pesticide authorization requirements.

2 Apr 2026, 10:20uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

ECHA Publishes Updated Article 95 List Of Biocidal Active Substances And Suppliers (31 March 2026)

ECHA has published the updated Article 95 list of biocidal active substances and suppliers (March 2026), the mandatory registry for biocidal market access. Businesses must audit their supply chains against this latest version to ensure active substance sources remain compliant and avoid potential disruptions to product authorizations.

2 Apr 2026, 09:06echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU / ECHA Publishes Comments Received On CLH Proposal For Brodifacoum

ECHA has published stakeholder comments on the proposed harmonised classification for brodifacoum, a key biocidal active substance, as the dossier moves toward a formal RAC opinion by mid-2027. Stakeholders should prepare for continued stringent classification and specific concentration limits that will dictate future labelling and market access for rodenticide products.

1 Apr 2026, 19:31echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Great Britain Issues Non-Approval Decisions For Biocidal Active Substances Under GB BPR

GB ministers have confirmed the non-approval of several biocidal active substances, including DBNPA and silver nitrate, effective April 1, 2026. Businesses must phase out treated articles by September 2026 and remove biocidal products from the market by April 2027 to avoid enforcement action.

1 Apr 2026, 18:47hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom