Questions ?
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions about biocidal products ! Here, we answer all your questions about these products that are essential to our daily lives. From their use to their different impact and regulations, we’re here to clear up any questions you may have.
Whether you are a consumer concerned by choosing the best-suited products to your needs, a professional facing stringent standards and regulations, or simply curious to know more about biocidal products, we are here to enlighten you.
A biocidal product is a substance or mixture of substances that destroys, repels, renders harmless or prevents the action of any harmful organism by chemical or biological means. These products are used to protect humans, animals, materials or articles against harmful organisms such as bacteria, insects, molds or rodents.
The use of biocides is not without risk. Please follow the safety instructions carefully.
Biocidal products are used in both domestic and professional environments, covering a range of applications from everyday use to industrial and medical contexts. In the home, they are used for everyday tasks such as cleaning toilets, bathrooms and kitchens, to ensure optimal sanitary conditions.
In professional environments, their use is ubiquitous, whether in healthcare establishments, kitchens, farms or industrial sites. Their main purpose is to reduce the risk of contamination, thereby helping to protect public health.
Below are just a few examples of the pathogenic germs against which these products are effective:
Bacteria : Listeria, Escherichia Coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus
Viruses: Hepatitis A, B, C, Rotavirus (gastroenteritis), Influenza virus (flu), COVID-19, HIV
Yeasts: Candida Albicans
Molds/fungi : Aspergillus brasiliensis, Candida Albicans
European regulations ensure that only active substances and products complying with Regulation (EU) 528/2012 are available on the market. Authorizations are only granted if the product, when used as recommended, does not present an unacceptable risk to humans, animals and the environment. To ensure that there is no unacceptable risk, the authorities assess the uses proposed by the manufacturer at specific doses. This assessment covers both health and environmental aspects.
Since September 1st, 2013, a European regulation (Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012) has governed the marketing and use of active substances and biocidal products, replacing European Directive 98/8/EC established in 1998. The main aim of this regulation is to ensure a high level of protection for humans, animals and the environment by only allowing the marketing of biocidal products that are effective and free from unacceptable risks.
Biocidal products are designed to destroy or repel harmful organisms, while standard cleaning products are generally intended to remove dirt, stains and odours without necessarily having a disinfectant or anti-nuisance action.Biocidal products are designed to destroy or repel harmful organisms, while standard cleaning products are generally intended to remove dirt, stains and odours without necessarily having a disinfectant or anti-nuisance action.
In France, the Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail (ANSES) grants marketing authorizations (AMM) for biocidal products after an exhaustive assessment of the risks to health and the environment. This assessment is based on scientific data such as toxicity, ecotoxicity and efficacy. Approved products meet strict criteria, and conditions of use are detailed on the label.
To obtain marketing authorization, biocidal products must contain only active substances approved at European level. Each substance is evaluated by a rapporteur Member State, then discussed at Community level before being approved by the European Commission. Authorizations are specific to each substance and product type.
Member States have their own competent control bodies for this task. In France, the DGCCRF (Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes) is responsible for biocidal products. It carries out checks on manufacturers, distributors and points of sale, notably in supermarkets, DIY stores and drugstores. DGCCRF agents check the conformity of labels, as well as the active substances present in products. They may also take samples for laboratory analysis to detect any non-conformities invisible to the naked eye.
During the assessment for marketing authorization, the competent authorities ensure that there are no risks associated with the use of products under specific conditions. These conditions are detailed in the precautions for use provided on the label. In the event of failure to comply with these instructions, the user cannot guarantee that he is operating under conditions deemed acceptable by the regulatory authorities.
The main hazards associated with the use of biocidal products include risks to human health, such as skin or eye irritation, and risks to the environment, such as water pollution or toxicity to aquatic organisms.
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Yes, some biocides can lose their effectiveness over time due to factors such as exposure to light, heat or humidity. It is important to store and use biocides in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure maximum effectiveness.