EU active substance expiry dates postponed

Active substance expiry dates postponed while renewal evaluations are completed in the EU.

For reasons beyond the control of the applicants, the approvals of the active substance/product type combinations listed were likely to expire before a decision could be taken on their renewal under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (EU BPR).

To allow sufficient time for the renewal evaluation to be completed, a decision has been taken to postpone the expiry dates of the following approvals. This affects NI:

From 30 September 2026 to 31 March 2029

• 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CAS 2682-20-4 EC 220-239-6) in product type 13
• N-(trichloromethylthio)phthalimide (folpet) (CAS 133-07-3 EC 205-088-6) in product type 9
  
  

From 30 November 2026 to 31 May 2029

• 3-iodo-2-propynylbutylcarbamate (IPBC) (CAS 55406-53-6 EC 259-627-5) in product type 13
  
  

From 31 December 2026 to 30 June 2029

• cyclohexylhydroxydiazene 1-oxide, potassium salt (K-HDO) (CAS 66603-10-9 EC N/A) in product type 8
  
  

From 31 December 2026 to 31 July 2029

• copper, granulated (CAS 7440-50-8 EC 231-159-6) in product type 8
  
  

From 31 January 2027 to 31 July 2029

• hydrogen peroxide (CAS 7722-84-1 EC 231-765-0) in product types 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
  
  

If you want to supply new biocidal products containing these active substances, you can still apply for EU BPR product authorisation. New products (including new trade names) must not be supplied in NI until product authorisation is granted.

HSE will provide separate updates on the renewal decisions when relevant.

Active substance no longer supported in the EU

Non-approval decision to be taken for unsupported active substance in the EU.

EU Review Programme industry support has been withdrawn for the active substance/product type combination listed. This affects NI:

• active bromine generated from sodium bromide by electrolysis (CAS N/A EC N/A) in product types 11 and 12

This active substance/product type combination will now be subject to an EU non-approval decision.

Once a decision is taken, the active substance will no longer be able to be used in biocidal products of the relevant product types in NI. In addition, articles treated with such products will no longer be able to be placed on the market in NI. HSE will provide separate updates on the decision and relevant phase-out periods.

If you are aware of any disproportionate negative impacts that are likely to arise from the non-approval of the active substance/product type combination listed, please contact us as soon as possible.

Stakeholders should note that biocides are in scope of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement currently being negotiated between the UK and the EU. Once negotiations on the SPS Agreement have concluded, HSE will communicate further on any implications the Agreement has for the sector.

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