EU to approve more biocides

The European Commission has proposed to approve five active ingredients (ais) for used as biocide, they are: DDAC (didecyldimethylammonium chloride), ADBAC (Quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-C12-16-alkyldimethyl, chlorides), diflubenzuron, pyriproxyfen and thiamethoxam. DDAC and ADBAC have been evaluated for use as wood preservatives, while the other three ais for use as insecticides. The five ais will be formally included in Annex I on February 1st 2015 and the approvals will expire on January 31st 2025.

The Commission required their member states to ensure that authorizations of these ais-based products for industrial users are subject to some specific conditions.

For DDAC and ADBAC, related products shall not be used for treatment of wood unless it can be demonstrated that risks can be reduced to an acceptable level. The products shall be used with appropriate personal protective equipment.

For products containing those three insecticides that may lead to residues in food or feed, member states shall verify the need to set new or to amend existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) according to Regulation (EC) No 470/2009 or Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, and take any appropria te risk mitigation measures ensuring that the applicable MRLs are not exceeded. And appropriate personal protective equipments are required when products authorised for professional use.

Diflubenzuron-based products shall not be authorised for use in water systems and pyriproxyfen-based products are not allowed for direct use on surface water unless data are submitted to demonstrate safe use. When use thiamethoxam-based products, measures shall be taken to protect honey bees.