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Biocides

Biocidal products (or ‘biocides') include products such as disinfectants, preservatives, rodenticides, insecticides and anti-fouling products that are used to control various types of harmful organisms. The legal definition of biocides is “active substances and preparations containing one or more active substances, put up in the form in which they are supplied to the user, intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, prevent the action of, or otherwise exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism by chemical or biological means”.

Because biocides are designed to kill or control harmful organisms, they also have the capacity to harm humans, other non-target organisms and the environment. Legislation to control the marketing and use of biocides is designed to minimise such risks. In the European Union, the marketing of biocides is controlled by Directive 98/8/EC, commonly known as the 'Biocidal Products Directive'. This Directive requires that all biocides must go through a rigorous evaluation process to ensure that they are safe for man, animals and the environment. Details of EC biocides legislation are available at http://ecb.jrc.it/biocides

Legislation

The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (DAFF) is the competent authority for the implementation of the biocides legislation in Ireland. Directive 98/8/EC is given effect in Irish law by Statutory Instrument S.I. No. 625 of 2001. Details of Irish legislation are available at http://www.irishstatutebook.ie

This Irish legislation requires that all biocides on the market in Ireland must be notified to DAFF. The Biocidal Product notification form provides DAFF with basic information on the nature, composition and intended uses of the biocidal product. This notification process is a transitional measure, which will allow the products concerned to remain on the market pending completion of the biocides review programme specified in Directive 98/8/EC.

It is the responsibility of the company that markets a biocide in Ireland to ensure that the product is notified to DAFF in accordance with Statutory Instrument S.I. No., 625 of 2001 either by themselves or by another company acting on their behalf.

1. Biocidal Product notification form (MS Word file 146KB)
2. Biocidal Products Register April 2011 (pdf, 780KB)
3. Biocidal product types (Adobe Acrobat file 15KB)
4. GCPF formulation codes (Adobe Acrobat file 55KB)
5. PRCD Biocide Log Book
To facilitate record keeping and to promote safe use practices of Biocidal products for Professional Users, DAFF has produced a suggested Biocide Application Log to facilitate record keeping for Biocide use. It is provided here in a word document for immediate download.
6. PRCD Biocides CLP Information
Labelling and classification requires the evaluation of the intrinsic hazard of a substance and the communication of that hazard to users through the label on the product. PCRD have produced a document detailing the legislation on labelling to provide a brief guide for PRCD staff and interested parties on the current labelling requirements for Biocidal Products (BP) on the Irish market
7. PRCD Biocide Inclusion Decisions Aug 2010 (Adobe Acrobat file 25KB)

Contact Details for the Biocides Group