The Unit 4.II.4 "Exposure Assessment Biocides" mainly deals with legal duties of the EU Biocides Regulation (EU) no. 528/2012 and is in particular involved in the procedures of

• the national and Union authorisation of biocidal products and biocidal product families,
• the mutual recognition of foreign authorisations, and
• the approval of biocidal active substances

together with the Unit Toxicology and the Biocides Assessment Unit OSH in Division 4. The aim of the work in the authorisation process is to enable professional users to work safely with biocidal products and to minimise harmful exposure to hazardous substances.

Within this framework, Unit 4.II.4 conducts the exposure assessment for the professional use of biocidal products and stipulates the protective measures required for their safe handling in the workplace. Unit 4.II.4 also represents the positions of BAuA in the responsible European committees, thus contributing significantly to the advancement and harmonisation of exposure assessment for the occupational use of biocidal products.

Through research and development (R&D) projects, the unit continuously improves the scientific basis of exposure assessment to biocides in the workplace for its area of responsibility. The development of modeling approaches for exposure assessment of disinfectants with volatile and reactive active substances is an important component, as is the derivation of protective measures such as exposure-reducing packaging, formulations, and systems. By collaborating with other expert groups within and outside the BAuA, at national and international level, the unit contributes to the creation of synergies within the exposure science.

The scientific knowledge acquired in the R&D projects is incorporated into the advancement of European guidelines, national legal provisions, technical rules, and standards through active participation of Unit 4.II.4 in the responsible committees.

Unit 4.II.4 also provides transfer of knowledge and advice on the assessment of exposure and on protective measures in industrial and commercial work processes with biocidal products and is involved in the qualification of young scientists in university teaching.