ECHA BPC Meeting Sept 2025

The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) met in Helsinki from 9 to 11 September 2025, issuing critical opinions that shape the future of biocidal active substances and product authorisations in the EU. The official outcomes were published on 17 September 2025 under reference ECHA/NR/25/30.

🔹 Amendment to CO₂ Listing in Annex I of the BPR

The BPC adopted a positive opinion to amend the inclusion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in Annex I of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). CO₂ was previously limited to ready-for-use gas canisters with traps for product-types (PT) 4, 15, and 18.

New proposed wording introduces exposure limits to facilitate broader use while ensuring professional safety:

• Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL): 1.5% v/v (15 minutes)
• Time-Weighted Average (TWA): 0.5% v/v (8 hours)

If approved, this change will allow wider authorisation of CO₂-based products, eligible under both standard and simplified procedures.

❌ DMOAP Not Approved for Three Product Types

The committee rejected the approval of Poly(dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride), generated in situ from DMOAP, for the following product-types:

• PT 2 – Disinfectants not for human/animal application
• PT 7 – Film preservatives
• PT 9 – Preservatives for fibres, leather, rubber, and polymers

The key issue: lack of validated analytical methods to measure both the precursor and in-situ generated active substances. This prevented proper risk assessment, including (eco)toxicological evaluation, making safe use impossible to establish.

✅ Union Authorisation: Six Positive Opinions Adopted

The BPC supported Union authorisation for six biocidal products/product families:

1. Active chlorine (from electrolysis of sodium chloride) – PTs 2 & 4
2. ADBAC/BKC + Glutaral – PTs 3 & 4
3. Peracetic acid – PT 2
4. L-(+)-lactic acid (product family) – PTs 2 & 4
5. Peracetic acid (product family) – PTs 2, 3 & 4
6. Glutaral (product family) – PTs 6, 11 & 12

These approvals enhance safe disinfectant and preservative use in areas such as veterinary hygiene, food processing, and materials treatment.

📋 Commission-Requested Opinions

The BPC also adopted five additional opinions at the request of the European Commission, based on prior BPC conclusions:

• Worker Safety: Four opinions evaluated risks from corrosive particles during coarse spraying of biocidal products.
• Cholecalciferol Alternatives: The committee assessed possible general public use of cholecalciferol and viable alternatives.

These assessments aim to guide regulatory decisions and reinforce protections for workers and consumers.

📅 What’s Next?

• Final decisions will be made by the European Commission in consultation with Member States.
• The full opinions will be published on ECHA’s website.
• The next BPC meeting is scheduled for 24–28 November 2025.