Biocides represent a wide range of products e.g. disinfectants, wood preservatives, rodenticides, antifouling agents (on boats), in-can preservatives, used in homes, public places such as hospitals, and industries, to destroy and control viruses, bacteria, algae, moulds, insects, mice or rats. They help inter alia prevent the spread of diseases and food poisoning.
The objective of the OECD Biocide Programme is to attain a harmonised approach in the regulation of biocides in all OECD countries. The OECD is thus working on harmonising the main data requirements for biocides and the methodologies for the interpretation of these data. Current projects deal with harmonising areas such as environmental emission estimations, test methods for biocides and efficacy testing and evaluation. Identifying effective biocide risk reduction measures is becoming another important work item of the OECD.
What's new
The COVID-19 pandemic calls for urgent policy responses to support the supply of disinfectant products such as hand sanitisers and wipes. The OECD is collecting and providing available information in countries to manage the emergency supply to increase availability of disinfectant products from different competent authorities and industry organisations. As the situation is fast evolving, countries are submitting information on a rolling basis.
List of Biocides publications
All Biocides Publications (chronological order)
Testing
Exposure Assessment
Sharing of Government Reviews
Sustainable use of Biocides
This table lists existing best practice codes or concepts for different biocide uses in OECD countries. This list is not exhaustive and will be updated from time to time. When available, the table contains the following information:
Towards a Sustainable Use of Biocides: Biocides are important and contribute to the protection of humans and animals against infectious diseases. However, biocides are designed to affect living organisms negatively. Even if premarket approval already can deliver a high level of protection, knowledge gaps can still remain. This report describes a common understanding of what sustainable use of biocides could entail and different possible aspects of sustainable use.
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