Lack of specific legislation delays registration of biocides in Brazil

"Brazil does not have a specific and pertinent legislation for this sort of product and not even a legal definition present on regulatory documents, which leaves in disadvantages comparing to other countries that dominate the subject and do a rigorous regulatory control related to production, distribution and commercialization of biocides”. The statement is from Mariana Scarfoni Peixoto, an expert on pharmaceutics and regulatory issues from Intertox.

"The compounds named biocides are present on production of several products, from agrochemicals to agronomy application, through cosmetics as preservatives, even in the composition of sanitizing products to prevent the appearance of mold. This information enlightens the urgency for the elaboration of a specific regulatory scenario for biocides, taking into account also the risks of this composition to human health and the environment, given that its strong action can impede the microbial growth,” explains her.

According to the expert, the “lack of regulatory base in this level generates confusion and delay on the regularization of products containing biocides, delaying the market for the consumer and the economy in the sector”. With the lack of specific legislation for biocides, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) applies international legislation in some cases.

"Other biocide chemical agents are framed at the classifications of agrochemicals and regulated by the law No. 7802/1989. The control of agrochemicals is stricter due to its application: products are used on plantations to inactivate the microbiological growth,” reminds Peixoto.

"We highlight the urgency of the elaboration of one specific and clear legislation for biocides. The lack of regulation generates huge problems, including the difficulty of registration in Brazil, impacting the commercial and economic sector of the country, besides not divulging and preventing the occurrence of the risks and consequences,” concludes the expert.