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Easier access to information on biocides

ECHA/NR/18/67 
 
There is now more information available for biocidal products and active substances in ECHA’s public database. You can search with a product’s trade name to find out where in the EU or EEA it is authorised, what its main ingredients are and how to use it safely. You can also compare products to find more environmentally friendly options.
 
Helsinki, 27 November 2018 – The information on biocidal active substances has improved. You can trace more easily where a substance is in the EU approval system, whether it is approved, under evaluation by a Member State, or waiting for an opinion by the Biocidal Products Committee. The database currently includes over 300 active substances used in different product-types.
 
For biocidal products, the following information is available:
 
  • A map of the countries where the product is authorised;
  • Non-confidential assessment reports by national authorities;
  • Authorisation history for each product;
  • Summaries of product characteristics, containing key product information, including:
    • active substances in the product and their concentrations;
    • hazard and precautionary statements;
    • the organisms the product is targeted at;
    • application methods;
    • type of packaging; 
    • instructions for use.
The information available helps companies and consumers to make informed choices on biocides. You are now able to compare up to four products to see if they contain an active substance that is more favourable for health and the environment, or if they contain active substances that are candidates for substitution or any substances of concern.  
 
There are more options to search for information, as you can now search with the:
 
  • product trade name (name on the package);
  • products containing active substances known to be candidates for substitution;
  • organism targeted by the product (e.g. mosquito);
  • countries where the product can be sold;
  • authorisation type (national, simplified or Union); 
  • authorisation holder (name of a company).
The overriding aim is to make information on hazardous chemicals more transparent.
Background

The database has information on the biocidal products that have been authorised in the EU. If a product cannot be found, it is likely because either the product or the active substance in it is still being assessed by the authorities. Biocidal products and active substances are assessed before they are allowed on the EU market –  the exception are products that were on the market before 2000, which can continue to be sold while the active substances are being evaluated.

The questions and answers provide support for biocides companies.