How Does the New EU Regulation on the Use of Biocides Affect Food Contact Materials?

摘要

On 1 September 2013 the EU Biocides Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 (the BPR) has replaced the old Biocidal Product Directive (BPD) and it is now directly binding in all Member States subject of some transitional provisions. The new Regulation has introduced significant changes in the regulation of biocidal products and has a big impact on other regulated products, previously not covered by the EU biocidal regulatory regime. This may result in regulatory overlaps creating legal uncertainties in the regulation of some of these areas. One of these areas concerns food contact materials containing biocides. Indeed, the BPR has extended its scope to food contact materials, hence, the regulatory status and approval of biocidal active substances and the authorization of biocidal products to be incorporated into food contact materials need to be revisited.