Biocides: Parliament endorses strict EU rules.

For the first time, there will be common EU standards on the registration and the use of biocides. The European Parliament endorsed a new EU Regulation on biocides today. "We will have more safety for consumers, users and the environment. The crucial thing is that the same standards will apply throughout the EU", said European Parliament Rapporteur and EPP Group MEP Christa Klass.

Biocides are used for cleaning, hygiene or protection purposes to fight vermin or fungi or to protect timber, for example. For the moment, the assessment and the registration of biocidal products is subject to national legislation and thus varies considerably. "This has also lead to the fact that we hardly have biocides on the market", said Christa Klass.

"Biocides are indispensable to meet the high hygiene and health standards in modern society. They have effects and side-effects and this is why we need strict rules on the use of biocides. We managed to define a clear ban on cancer-causing and fertility-reducing substances as well as substances damaging hereditary material. In addition, products treated with biocides need to be labelled accordingly. EU-wide registration and such strict criteria are a major step forward", said the European Parliament Rapporteur.

EU registration will be phased in by product groups up until 2020. Imported products treated with biocides must meet the EU standards. The new Regulation will enter into force in September 2013