Biocide (Biocidal product)

Biocides are defined in Article 2 (1) of the Biocidal Products Directive (98/8/EC) as: "Active substances and preparations containing one or more active substances, put up in the form in which they are supplied to the user, intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, prevent the action of, or otherwise exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism by chemical or biological means." Note, however, that many substances or preparations which meet this definition are excluded from the Biocidal Products Directive on the basis of being covered by other legislation such as the Plant Protection Products Directive (91/414/EEC) and many other Directives relating to veterinary medicines, proprietary medicinal products etc. Therefore, for a complete definition of a biocidal products you should consult the Biocidal Products Directive and its associated guidance. In general terms, the scope of the Biocidal Products Directive is very wide, covering 23 different product types. This includes disinfectants for home and industrial use, preservatives for manufactured and natural products, non-agricultural pesticides for use against insects, rodents and other vertebrates and specialised products such as embalming/taxidermist fluids and antifouling products. A full list of product types is in Annex V of the BPD. Under Article 15 (2) of the REACH Regulation, active substances which are regulated as biocides are regarded as being already registered under REACH.