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HSE Biocides ebulletin

Issued: 18 March 2024

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

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

Separate ebulletins containing information specific to regulating biocides in Northern Ireland are issued as appropriate.

Changes to Annexes II and III of GB Biocidal Products Regulation

Regulations updating the data requirements for active substances and biocidal products have been laid in Parliament

The Biocidal Products (Health and Safety) (Amendment and Transitional Provision etc.) Regulations 2024, which update the data requirements in Annexes II and III of GB BPR, were laid in Parliament on 13 March 2024.

These Regulations are due to come into force on 6 April 2024, subject to successful completion of Parliamentary processes.

An 8-week public consultation on the proposed changes was carried out between 17 January and 14 March 2023. A report on the outcome of the consultation is available on our website.

This legislation updates some of the data requirements to reflect developments in science and technology. These include the use of alternative testing approaches to determine some hazardous properties which previously relied on animal testing.

The new data requirements will apply to applications received 18 months after the legislation came into force (6 October 2025) and will not be applied to existing applications. Further guidance on these changes will be provided on the HSE website in due course.

If you have any queries, please contact us.