Online Questionnaire – HSE Propose Changes to Biocidal Product Regulations 2001

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aiming to make some simple changes to the Biocidal Product Regulations 2001.

HSE is asking current duty holders to view the draft proposal of changes and give their opinions via an online questionnaire.

The draft proposals contain three main amendments from the current regulations which are:

• Keeping biocides on the market after 14 May 2010
• Updating references in the 2001 Regulations
• Adjusting the 2001 Regulations

The questionnaire is available from 1^st September 2009 until 23^rd November 2009.

To read more on this and/or to take part, the following link will take you to the online questionnaire;

http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/biocidesletter.htm

Biocidal products are chemicals or micro-organisms used to control organisms that are harmful to human or animal health and for the control of organisms that can cause damage to natural or manufactured products.  Biocides are used in a very wide variety of non-agricultural situations; examples include wood preservatives, insecticides, disinfectants and embalming fluids.  They are distinct from ‘agricultural pesticides’, which are regulated by the Plant Protection Products Directive and veterinary medicinal products, which are regulated by the Veterinary Medicines Directive.

The Health and Safety Executive is the national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to prevent death, injury and ill health in Great Britain’s workplaces.