Proposal on biocidal products
A Commission proposal for a Council Directive concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market (COM(93) 351). The proposal notes in preamble that biocidal products comprise a highly diverse group of products, including wood preservatives, rodenticides, insecticides, anti-foulings, surface and water biocides, disinfectants, fumigants, preservatives for technical and household materials, preservatives for works of art, and others. These products can give rise to exposure of man and the environment to risk in a great variety of ways. Hence the proposal concerns the development, or in certain areas the further development, of a framework of rules in order that biocidal products are not placed on the market unless officially authorized. Among other Articles, the Commission proposes that a positive list should be established at Community level of active substances which can be used in biocidal products. Equally, a system for the mutual exchange of information between Member states should be established. Following the adoption of this Directive, the Commission shall commence a ten-year programme of work for the systematic examination of active biocidal substances. A future Regulation will include all provisions necessary for the establishment and implementation of this programme. Particular rules are included covering the marketing of unauthorized biocidal substances in experiments or tests for the purpose of either scientific research or process-oriented research and development.