ECHA warns of biocide deadlines as control assessments gather speed

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has warned paint, coatings and other chemical companies to make sure they are re-reviewing their products, regarding their biocidal impact because of an upcoming deadline over controls of chemicals and preparations that create a new biocide during and after use.

ECHA says these so-called ‘in situ generated active substances’ must be declared for formal assessment under the EU’s biocidal products regulation (Regulation EU 528/2012) by September 1, 2016. "If an application is not made by the deadline, the biocidal product may only be placed on the EU market until 1 September 2017,” said the ECHA note. This obligation applies to active substances available on the EU market or used in biocidal products on September 1, 2013, when the regulation came into operation.

ECHA has in the past given examples, such as active bromine generated from sodium bromide and sodium hypochlorite; and hydrogen peroxide generated from sodium percarbonate by dissolution in water. More details – http://echa.europa.eu/regulations/biocidal-products-regulation/in-situ-generated-active-substances

The EU agency also warned that companies had until this May 1 to apply for biocidal product authorisation at the EU level for using permethrin in wood preservatives.

• Meanwhile, ECHA’s biocidal products committee has given a partial approval for the use of wood preservative products using the active ingredient coco alkyltrimethylammonium chloride (ATMAC/TMAC).

These kill wood-discolouring moulds and fungi and are used for the preventive protection of wood and construction timbers. In its conclusion, the committee said that the use of such biocides was acceptable for professional users automated dipping and spraying in closed tunnel applications. "These industrial applications, including storage were only acceptable for the environment when appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place,” said the committee. However, for using such protective products for treating wood exposed to frequent weathering (such as houses and fences) created "an unacceptable risk for soil and groundwater,” it added. See http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/b561019a-0bc1-4a84-a4df-bd471e6dffc9.

Looking ahead, ECHA is also consulting on ongoing assessments of biocidal active ingredients including Chromium VI compounds, which can be used in conversion coating; Bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether (Diglyme), a carrier solvent in an etchant for fluoropolymer surface modification; and formaldehyde, oligomeric reaction products with aniline (Technical MDA), used in an epoxy resin hardener. Comments are needed by June 22. See http://echa.europa.eu/addressing-chemicals-of-concern/authorisation/applications-for-authorisation.