Six biocides gain EU approval

The EU Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) has adopted opinions for the application regarding 6 active ingredients’ approval for used as biocide. In addition the BPC confirmed the status of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) as an active ingredient. 
 

The six ais are in the review of existing biocides and they are hexaflumuron, 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate (IPBC), propiconazole, 5-Chloro-2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-phenol (DCPP), potassium sorbate and pythium oligandrum M1.
 

Hexaflumuron is intended for termite control by professionals and the BPC confirmed that hexaflumuron is a candidate for substitution because it is very persistent, very bioaccumulative and toxic.
 

IPBC is a preservative in metalworking fluids intended to be used only in professional applications to control the growth of fungi. Metalworking fluids are used to cool, lubricate and flush away metal shavings during the manufacturing of metal products.
 

Propiconazole is used by both professionals and non-professionals as a film preservative. Propiconazole protects paints or adhesive films against fungal infestation. The biocidal products containing propiconazole are applied by brushing, rolling or spraying. As an adhesive, propiconazole is used in tile glues.
 

Under product-type 1 (PT 1), DCPP is used as a bactericidal ai for use in liquid soap formulations for hand disinfection. For PT 2 and PT 4, DCPP is intended to be used as surface disinfectants and in dishwashing liquids, respectively. The BPC confirmed that DCPP is a candidate for substitution by being a substance for which two of the three PBT criteria are met (the metabolite methyl-DCPP fulfils the T-criterion and the vB-criterion).
 

Potassium sorbate is used by professionals as a wood preservative for freshly cut wood. Target organisms are fungi that cause wood staining, mould and storage rot.
 

Pythium oligandrum strain M1 is a fungicide intended to control moulds on masonry for both curative and preventive treatment.
 

In addition, the BPC confirmed that piperonyl butoxide (PBO) is considered as an biocidal active ingredient and they will consider further the implications of this conclusion at the next Biocides CA meeting and liaise with the relevant bodies of the regulatory framework for pesticides. In parallel, the peer review of PBO will be initiated by the evaluating competent authority Greece.