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HSE Biocides ebulletin

Issued: 15 November 2023

 

This ebulletin contains information on regulating biocides in Northern Ireland (NI). 

 

The EU Biocidal Products Regulation (EU BPR) operates independently from the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR), which applies in Great Britain.

 

Separate ebulletins containing information specific to regulating biocides in Great Britain are issued as appropriate.

EU active substance expiry dates postponed

Active substance expiry dates postponed whilst the renewal evaluation is completed in the EU

For reasons beyond the control of the applicants, the approvals of the active substance/product type combinations listed below were likely to expire before decisions could be taken on their renewal under the EU BPR.

 

To allow sufficient time for the renewal evaluations to be completed, decisions have been taken to postpone the expiry dates of the following approvals. This affects NI:

• Sulphuryl difluoride (sulfuryl fluoride) (CAS 2699-79-8 EC 220-281-5) in product types 8 and 18  
  From 31 December 2023 to 31 December 2024
  
  
• (R)-1,2-O-(2.2,2-Trichloroethylidene)-α-D-glucofuranose (alphachloralose) (CAS 15879-93-3 EC 240-016-7) in product type 14  
  From 31 December 2023 to 30 June 2026
  
  
• Copper (II) hydroxide (CAS 20427-59-2 EC 243-815-9) in product type 8  
  From 31 January 2024 to 31 July 2026
  
  
• Copper (II) carbonate copper (II) hydroxide (1:1) (basic copper carbonate) (CAS 12069-69-1 EC 235-113-6) in product type 8  
  From 31 January 2024 to 31 July 2026
  
  
• Copper (II) oxide (CAS 1317-38-0 EC 215-269-1) in product type 8  
  From 31 January 2024 to 31 July 2026

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

 

HSE will provide separate updates on the renewal decisions when relevant.

New EU active substance non-approval decision

Biocidal products must be phased off the NI market

Following evaluation under the EU BPR, a decision has been taken not to approve the following active substance/product type combination. This will affect NI:

• Silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate (CAS 265647-11-8 EC 422-570-3) in product type 4

Biocidal products containing this active substance in the relevant product type can no longer be:

• supplied in NI after 15 October 2024; or
• used in NI after 15 April 2025

You must manage your stocks of the affected products to ensure they are removed from the NI supply chain by 15 October 2024.

 

New treated articles containing this active substance in the relevant product type cannot enter the supply chain or be imported into NI after 12 April 2024. Treated articles that have entered NI supply chains before this date can continue to be supplied and used.

 

Find out more about treated articles

 

Any affected NI product approvals under the Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR) will be revoked in line with the above dates.

 

If you are aware of any disproportionate negative impacts that are likely to arise from the non-approval of the active substance/product type combination listed above, please contact us.