On 8 March 1998, the "Directive 98/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 1998 regarding the placing of biocidal products on the market" took effect. By this directive, uniform regulations were created for many products regarding the control of harmful organisms e.g. rodents, insects or microorganisms. In order to guarantee protection for consumers, employeesand the environment on the one hand and sufficient efficacy on the other, biocidal products are only allowed to be placed on the market and used when authorisation or registration were issued by the competent national authority. In analogy to medicinal products or pesticides, biocidal products are thus subject to a pre-commercialization check.

This brochure shall give general information about requirements that your company may need to comply with, according to the biocides legislation. As manufacturer and/or importer you will find information such as decision criteria according to which you can evaluate which legal regulation applies to your product or - if you manufacture a biocidal product - how you can prepare for the required authorisation procedure.