Policy Priorities / Public health & Hygiene
Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) evaluation
Biocidal products play a critical role in protecting human and animal health by controlling harmful organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and insects. They are widely used across healthcare, food production, agriculture and everyday environments to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and ensure safe hygiene conditions.
From hand and surface disinfection in hospitals to maintaining hygiene in the food chain and public spaces, biocidal products are essential to breaking the chain of infection and safeguarding public health. They also support the response to emerging risks, including climate-driven disease patterns and the spread of vector-borne diseases.
Biocidal products in the European Union, including disinfectants used for hygiene and public health purposes, are regulated under the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. The regulation governs the approval of active substances, the authorisation of biocidal products and their placing on the market.
The BPR aims to allow effective biocidal products to be used across the EU, while ensuring a high level of protection for human health, animal health and the environment. It applies to products essential for infection prevention in healthcare, food production, public spaces and at home, including disinfectants, insecticides and repellents.
The European Commission is currently evaluating the BPR to assess how it has functioned since its entry into force. The evaluation examines whether the framework delivers its objectives efficiently, ensures the availability of essential products, and supports innovation and competitiveness.
For the cleaning and hygiene products industry, the BPR is a key framework enabling the supply of disinfectants, insecticides and repellents needed for public health protection. Detergents Europe monitors the application of the regulation, gathers evidence on its implementation, and contributes constructively to the evaluation process.
Industry experience has highlighted challenges linked to complexity, lengthy procedures and inconsistent implementation across EU Member States. The evaluation is therefore an important opportunity to reflect on how the framework can best support public health objectives while remaining effective and proportionate.
