Overview
The Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 set out requirements for the protection of human health and the environment from risks associated with supply, use and import/export of hazardous chemicals.
Background
Biocides are substances that can destroy harmful or unwanted living organisms. The use of a biocide that kills organisms such as mould or legionella bacteria requires stringent control to ensure it does not cause further adverse effects to human health and the environment. The environmental impacts can persist and affect marine eco-systems over a long term.
They may be found in products such as insect repellents, disinfectants and preservatives. Workers using them in the workplace need to be trained in their use and protected from any potential harm they can cause to their health. Biocides can be toxic, carcinogenic and interfere with the body’s endocrine system.
Danger to Health
Workers may be exposed to biocides either directly or indirectly. Directly would be if the worker actively using the biocidal product inhales it, for example when spraying, or if it contacts their skin when using, cleaning, storing or transporting biocide-treated items or objects. Indirect exposure would include cleaning clothes that have been contaminated with a biocidal product.
Pregnant women, unborn babies, small children and those with serious chronic illness are especially vulnerable to the risks of biocide exposure, which are particularly detrimental to the respiratory system, skin, eyes, nervous system and other organs. The effects from working with biocides can develop many years after exposure, resulting in serious illness, so it is very important to correctly manage and reduce the risks from any amount of biocide exposure. It is a company’s responsibility to minimise any possible health risk to workers.
Am I using Biocides?
The EU Biocide regulations, known as EU BPR, divides Biocides into 4 main groups and 22 different product types. Although the UK has left the EU, the requirements will remain in UK Legislation. The following table lists out some common applications of biocides.
| Area | Use |
| Use in Healthcare | - As active ingredients in antiseptics and disinfectants in hospitals to control microorganisms and prevent infections
- As a preservative in drugs for humans and animals
|
| Use in Consumer products | Many consumer products contain biocides, including: - Building materials
- Cosmetics
- Household cleaning products
- Furniture
- Textiles
- Wallpaper
- Pet and general disinfectants
|
| Use in Food production | - As food preservatives
- To disinfect equipment, containers, surfaces or food production pipework, and in the transport and storage of food or drinks (including drinking water)
|
| Use in Livestock farming | - For protecting livestock from diseases that they may pass on to humans
- Disinfecting farm buildings or animals (teat dips)
|
| Use in Water treatment | - Drinking water
- Wastewater treatment
- Industrial use
|
| Use in Container disinfection in transport | Container fumigation: - To protect goods during transport
- To prevent insects and other pests spreading from one country to another
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