What is the Biocidal Product Regulation

Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22nd May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products (“the BPR”) is the European Union (“EU”) legislation on biocidal products. The BPR was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 27th June 2012, and its provisions applied as of 1 September 2013. It replaced and repealed Directive 98/8/EC concerning the placing on the market of biocidal products (“the BPD”).

The BPR aims to harmonise EU rules on the making available on the market and use of biocidal products, while ensuring a high level of protection of both human and animal health and the environment. 

The BPR lays down rules for:

• Establishing a harmonised EU list of approved active substances that may be used in biocidal products
• Authorisation of biocidal products and making available on the EU market
• Mutual recognition of authorisations within the EU
• And placing on the market of treated articles

The BPR applies to products intentionally marketed as “biocidal products” and the active substances they contain, consist of or generate (in situ generated active substances). The Regulation also includes some exemptions in Article 2.2., as it does not apply to products falling under the scope of for example the Cosmetics Regulation and the Medical Device Directive.

More information on the ECHA Website

The Biocidal Product Regulation and nonwovens

EDANA issued in 2015 the Guide to Biocidal Product regulation. 

This Guide helps EDANA members and their suppliers to comply with the obligations they may have under the BPR. The focus of this document is on the new requirements for treated articles, as interpreted by the final Note for Guidance, however other elements of the BPR are also covered in brief.