Joint Statement on the future of the Biocidal Products Regulation

Biocides play an important role in our daily lives, even if often unnoticed, by helping control harmful organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, insects and rodents. They include disinfectants used in hospitals and food production facilities, products that keep drinking water safe, insect repellents that help protect against vector-borne diseases, and preservatives that prevent everyday materials and products such as detergents and paints from deteriorating.
From healthcare and food production to water treatment, transport, manufacturing and construction, biocides protect public health, safeguard critical infrastructure and support essential services and industrial activities. Their importance is increasing as Europe faces emerging health threats, rising antimicrobial resistance, climate-related challenges and growing preparedness needs. Effective biocidal solutions remain critical to preventing infections, particularly given that more than 3.5 million healthcare-associated infections occur annually in the EU, contributing to around 90,000 deaths1. Yet while Europe's reliance on biocides continues to grow, access to these solutions is declining. Around 50% of the active substances available on the market in 2000 have already been lost2, while too few new substances are entering the system.

If Europe does not act now, it will continue to lose critical solutions.
This is why the ongoing evaluation of the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012 (BPR) must lead to a revision of the legislation before the end of the current parliamentary term, ensuring that Europe continues to have access to safe, effective and innovative biocidal solutions.
A Fit-for-Purpose BPR is essential for European competitiveness and innovation.
The European biocides sector is a significant contributor to the EU economy, biocides market is worth approximately €10 billion annually, and close to 90% of economic operators are SMEs. To remain competitive, the sector requires a regulatory framework that enables investment, innovation and timely market access. However, lengthy and unpredictable regulatory procedures absorb resources that could otherwise be directed towards research, development and the introduction of new solutions. Product authorisations often take more than seven years, delaying market access and creating uncertainty for investors. Companies also report difficulties in identifying authorities with sufficient capacity to evaluate dossiers. Compared with other regions, where approval processes are faster and more predictable, Europe risks becoming a less attractive location for investment and innovation. As a result, the current BPR framework hinders competitiveness at a time when the EU is seeking to strengthen its industrial base, resilience and economic growth.

Europe is losing essential solutions

The declining availability of active substances is a warning that the current system is not delivering. More than a decade after the BPR entered into force, only a few new active substances had been evaluated.This is not simply a concern for the biocides sector. Fewer active substances mean fewer options to address harmful organisms, manage resistance and respond to future health threats. Hospitals, food producers, water operators, manufacturers and many other sectors depend on access to effective biocidal solutions. Europe cannot strengthen preparedness while its toolbox becomes progressively smaller. It cannot promote innovation while new solutions remain trapped in lengthy procedures. It cannot strengthen competitiveness while access to essential technologies continues to decline.

Europe has an opportunity to act now

More than a decade after the BPR entered into application, its objective of creating a genuinely harmonised Single Market has not been achieved. Companies continue to face different interpretations across Member States, evolving requirements and duplicative assessments. Lengthy procedures reduce predictability, discourage investment and delay society access to innovative solutions. Europe does not need lower standards. It needs a system that works better: one that protects human health and the environment while delivering faster decisions, greater predictability and stronger harmonisation across the Single Market.

Our call

As 11 associations representing different sectors and actors from across the European biocides value chain, we call on European policymakers to take decisive action to ensure that Europe remains an attractive location for investment, innovation, manufacturing and the supply of biocidal solutions.
In particular, we call for:
• A revision of the Biocidal Products Regulation before the end of the current parliamentary term, as the outcome of the ongoing evaluation of the legislation.
• A revised BPR framework that is science-based and harmonised, capable of maintaining a high level of protection for human health and the environment while improving predictability and competitiveness.
• A revised BPR framework that prevents the shift of innovation, manufacturing capacity and expertise to other regions by ensuring efficient and proportionate rules for the development and supply of biocidal solutions in Europe.
We stand ready to work alongside European institutions and policymakers, bringing our expertise to shape a fit-for-purpose BPR framework that enables innovation, strengthens Europe's competitiveness and ensures continued access to safe, effective and innovative biocides.

Co-signed by:
Aqua Europa
CEPA
CEPE
Clean Hospitals
Detergents Europe
EBSA
EFPIA
EuroCommerce
EUSalt
FECC
Serving Europe