Information on regulating biocides in Great Britain
 

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Health and Safety Executive

Biocides ebulletin

Issued: 6 September 2024

This ebulletin contains information on regulating biocides in Great Britain (GB).

GB active substance expiry dates postponed until 31 January 2027

This applies to biocidal active substance/product type combinations which expire between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2026

The active substance/product type combinations are able to be postponed providing a timely renewal application is submitted and accepted.

HSE provided information about the decision to postpone expiry dates in a previous ebulletin.

The requirements have now been met for the following active substance/product type combinations:

  • 4,5-Dichloro-2-octylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one (DCOIT)) (CAS 64359-81-5 EC 264-843-8) in product type 21
    From 31 December 2025 to 31 January 2027

  • Copper thiocyanate (CAS 1111-67-7 EC 214-183-1) in product type 21
    From 31 December 2025 to 31 January 2027


If you want to supply new biocidal products containing these active substances, you can still apply for GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR) product authorisation. New products (including new trade names) must not be supplied in GB until product authorisation is granted.

HSE will provide separate updates on the renewal decisions and future expiry date postponements captured within this overall decision when relevant.


Upcoming GB active substance renewal submission deadline

Apply for active substance renewal by the deadline to keep products on the GB market

Under the GB BPR, active substance approvals will expire unless a renewal application is submitted at least 550 days before their expiry date.

The 550-day deadline is coming up for the following active substance/product type combination under GB BPR:

  • Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, strain ABTS-351 (CAS N/A EC N/A) in product type 18
    27 August 2025


Any person, company or task force/consortium can support an active substance/product type combination for renewal – it doesn’t have to be the original supporter.

Check the GB Article 95 List to see who the original supporters were.

If this active substance/product type combination is important to you, consider contacting your supplier to let them know.

If a renewal application is not submitted for the above active substance/product type combination under GB BPR, the approval will expire.This means the active substance will no longer be able to be used in biocidal products of the relevant product type in GB.

In addition, articles treated with such products will no longer be able to be placed on the market in GB.

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