Press Release: Environment: Commission proposes to improve the safety of biocides and to simplify authorisation procedures

On 12 June, 2009, the European Commission presented draft legislation to achieve a higher level of protection of health and the environment. This proposal aimed at significantly increasing the safety of biocide products used and placed on the market in the European Union. It proposed to phase out the most hazardous substances, particularly those that may cause cancer, and to introduce new rules for articles such as furniture and textiles treated with biocides, which are not covered by existing legislation. It introduced simplified legislation, whilst providing new incentives for companies to develop safer products against harmful pests and germs. The Helsinki-based European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will be involved in the authorisation of some of these products through a centralised approach. The proposal should enter into force in 2013.

European Commission: MEMO/09/275: Questions and answers on the new biocides regulation http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/275&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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