New EU Biocide Regulation Enters Into Force

The new Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) enters into force in the EU today, July 17, 2012. The BPR replaces the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) that had been the law governing biocides. There will be a transition period for some biocidal products already in the review process, but the new BPR moves much of the responsibility for approving biocides to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).  ECHA is also responsible for REACH, the chemicals regulation.

As a regulation, the BPR goes into force in all of the EU immediately.  The previous Directive had to be implemented by individual member state action.

More information on the new Biocidal Products Regulation can be found on ECHA's web site.