Creosote Public Consultation

A public consultation on the active substance creosote is currently being undertaken by the European Chemicals Agency in the context of the renewal of this active substance for use in the EU under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR).

Creosote (CAS No. 8001-58-9) for product-type 8 (wood preservatives) is currently undergoing a review in the context of renewing the active substance for approval for use in biocidal wood preservative products. It is deemed however to meet the BPR Article 5 (1) exclusion criteria.

If an active substance meets the exclusion criteria set out in Article 5 (1) of the BPR, it normally would not be approved for use in biocidal products in the EU. However, the active substance could receive a derogation under Article 5 (2) of the BPR when it is shown that:

• exposure is negligible;
• the active substance is essential to prevent a serious danger to human or animal health or the environment; or
• not approving the substance would have a disproportionate negative impact on society compared to the risks

A derogation would allow the active substance to be approved for use in biocidal products in the EU.

To decide if this active substance approval may be renewed or not in the EU, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched a public consultation to collect information on whether the conditions for derogation are satisfied. Details can be found on the ECHA website:  https://echa.europa.eu/derogation-to-the-exclusion-criteria-current-consultations

Comments should be submitted to ECHA directly using the following link: Creosote Public Consultation - Submission Form

This EU consultation runs until 30 March 2021.  

The opinion of the Biocidal Products Committee on the renewal of creosote can be found at: https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/biocidal-active-substances/-/disas/factsheet/19/PT08.