EU Biocide Developments – An Irish Perspective

EU Biocide Developments – An Irish Perspective

At the 2024 Dublin Biocides Symposium, Dr Mervyn Parr, Risk Manager at the Pesticide Registration and Control Division (PRCD) in Ireland, provided an update on the state of biocides in the EU and ongoing developments from an Irish perspective.The Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012 (“the BPR”) is an integral part of Irish law, ensuring a high level of safety for humans and the environment while harmonising the market at union level.

Regarding the existing active substances still under review in the review programme, the deadline for completion has been extended to the end of 2030 due to the slower-than-anticipated progress. Challenges remain with the approval of these active substances – only a marginal 2% increase from last year was observed in the programme’s progress (45% vs 47% approved). Key challenges include maintaining consistency with prior decisions and other regulatory streams, addressing wider societal implications and proposed restrictions at the approval stage. Currently, approximately 3,600 products are notified in Ireland under Article 89 (transitional measures). If the completion of the review programme will be achieved in 2030, there will be knock on effects on product authorisations from the approval of active substances, broader chemical reduction policies and the necessity to balance public health needs.

Regarding national authorisations, the PRCD has identified challenges such as incomplete and poorly compiled dossiers, missing studies, and product claim evaluations. Mervyn emphasised that competent authorities (CAs) are not responsible for making evaluations work for the data submitted and the CAs are not in a position to advise on product formulations or claims.

For companies seeking to market their biocidal products in Ireland, it is important to keep in mind that biocidal products that are notified in Ireland are assigned a PCS number which supports the active substance/product type (PT) combination under EU review for existing biocidal active substances. Conversely, authorised products are assigned an IE/BPA (or “EU”) number where the active substance/PT combination is approved at EU level, and the product is evaluated and authorised for sale and use in Ireland. Product labels without either of these numbers cannot be placed on the Irish market.

You can download the slides of Mervyn’s presentation free of charge at the following link from Kerona’s website: Dublin Biocides Symposium 2024 – PRCD Presentation – Kerona Scientific Ltd.

Please get in touch with the experts in Kerona’s biocide team if you need support with your biocide registrations in Ireland, the EU and GB at info@kerona.ie or call our office at +353 (0)1 849 5284