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The Biocidal Products Committee adopts its first opinions
ECHA/NA/14/16
The opinions concern approval of two active substances, permethrin and tralopyril, and two are responding to specific questions from the Commission.
Helsinki, 14 April 2014 – The Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) met for the fifth time from 8 to 10 April 2014. The first three opinions adopted were in relation to industry applications to approve active substances for use in biocidal products - one used as a wood preservative, an insecticide and an antifouling product. The Committee also adopted two opinions in relation to questions from the Commission, one on a polymeric binder to be used in paints and one on a silver based nanomaterial used in the treatment of textiles. The BPC opinions on active substance approvals will be sent to the European Commission to take a final decision in relation to the applications for approval.
Permethrin for PT 8 and 18
Permethrin is an active substance evaluated in product-type (PT) 8, wood preservatives and PT 18, insecticides, acaracides and products to control other arthropods. As a wood preservative, permethrin is intended to be applied to preserve wood for preventive and curative treatment of for example fences, roadside noise barriers and electricity transmission posts. Permethrin is also used as an insecticide, for indoor use by spot treatment in cracks and crevices by professionals or non-professionals and for the treatment of textile fibres to be used for example in the manufacture of carpets.
The evaluating competent authority of the active substance application is Ireland.
Tralopyril for PT 21
Tralopyril is a new active substance evaluated in PT 21, antifouling products. Products containing tralopyril are intended for professional use on ships to control a range of animal and algal fouling organisms.
The evaluating competent authority of the active substance application is the United Kingdom.
Specific requests from the Commission
A company has proposed to place a polymeric binder material on the market for use in paints to confer anti-microbial properties to painted surfaces. In relation to this the European Commission has requested the Agency for an opinion on whether the polymeric material contributes to the biocidal properties of paints, contains a biocidal active substance and if so, what is the identity of that active substance? The BPC concluded in its opinion that the polymeric material contributes to the biocidal properties of antimicrobial paints, the polymeric binder is a biocidal active substance and has clarified its identity.
The Commission also asked the BPC for an opinion on whether silver absorbed on silicon dioxide intended to be used in the treatment of textiles is a nano material, what constitutes the active substance and how to specify it. The BPC adopted its opinion and clarified that it is a nanomaterial according to the definition in the BPR but that it is premature to draw up further detailed specifications.
Further information
The opinions will be published on the ECHA website in the near future at the address below:
Background Information
The Biocidal Products Committee prepares the opinions of ECHA related to several processes under the Biocidal Products Regulation. Each EU Member State is entitled to appoint one member to the BPC for a renewable term of three years.
In relation to applications for the approval of new active substances such as tralopyril, companies have to apply for approval of an active substance by submitting a dossier. After a validation check the evaluating competent authority carries out an evaluation within one year. The result of the evaluation is forwarded to the BPC, which prepares an opinion within 270 days. The opinion serves as a basis for the decision-making by the European Commission and the Member States. The approval of an active substance is granted for a defined number of years, not exceeding ten years.
Substances which were on the market before 14 May 2000 and are evaluated under the review programme in an analogous manner to new active substances are referred to as existing active substances. Permethrin for product types 8 and 18 are review programme substances.
Article 75(1)(g) of the BPR states that the BPC is responsible for preparing an opinion on any other questions that may arise from the operation of the BPR relating to technical guidance or risks to human health, animal health or the environment.