Biocidal products for non-agricultural uses: common rules for national authorisations

The amended proposal for a directive on the marketing of biocidal products incorporates a number of amendments adopted by the European Parliament at first reading. The main changes made to the initial proposal are designed to: - state that the directive helps to cut down the number of experiments carried out on animals; - change the scope of the directive so that it applies to all the relevant products not covered by other legislation, while avoiding duplication with existing legislation (there must be careful coordination, inter alia, with the directives on the protection of water and the continued use and release into the environment of genetically modified organisms); - introduce the idea of a 'general formula', defined as a category of products designed for the same use and the same type of user; - state the period of time laid down for the processing of requests for authorization for biocidal products: any request for authorization must be decided upon within a reasonable period of time. Requests for authorization for biocidal products to which the general formula applies must be processed within 60 days; - stipulate that specific account must be taken of the effects of biocidal products on air and surface water and that methods of application must be included in requests for authorization; - state that the labels on biocidal products must not be misleading or give an exaggeratedly favourable impression of the product; - change the requirements regarding the information to be provided when requesting authorization: the file must contain supporting data but must also correspond to the current state of technological progress; - provide for the authorization of a biocidal product is subject to a fee; - authorize the use of anti-soiling agents on sea-going vessels during a ten-year period from the entry into force of the directive. The amended proposal did not incorporate the European Parliament's amendments aimed at: - changing the scope of the directive by changing the definition of 'harmful organisms', including products intended for export and bringing within the scope of the directive materials treated with biocidal products; - provide for the drawing up of action plans to limit the use of biocidal products; - propose that all biocidal product labels recommend that they be used in moderation; - remove the reference to the 5th environmental action programme; - propose limiting the types of substance which can be included in the composition of biocidal products; - change the committee procedure laid down for the adoption of the regulation governing the programme of systematic examination. �