Biocides

Biocides are so-called active substances with specific properties. They are marketed through formulations – biocidal products. Their advantage consists in the ability to prevent the growth of harmful organisms (bacteria, fungi); to repel undesirable insects (repellents); to control wood-borers in roof structures or rodents in municipal sewer systems. These abilities arise thanks to the toxic properties they have.

Although it may not be obvious, biocides are all around us. They are in the disinfectant soap we wash our hands with; in the sanitary disinfectant in our bathroom; in our swimming pool water; in textiles imported to Europe from remote China; or in the repellents we apply to our children's clothes to protect them against unwanted insects. Biocides are also used in on a large scale in industry, e.g. as in-can protection of paints and varnishes, and in power plants or sawmills processing freshly cut wood. To a small extent, they can even be found in drinking water, running from the tap at home.

The effect of harmful organisms on human health

Each of us tries to ensure we stay healthy. This certainly applies when it comes to harmful organisms, which we try to avoid or prevent ourselves from coming into contact with. Some of the commonest harmful organisms are allergy-inducing fungi or infectious fungal diseases. Others are viruses and bacteria. The scope of health problems they can cause is immense. From diarrhoea to stomach aches and vomiting. Problems often arise as a result of poor drinking water (Escherichia coli infections) or a short stay somewhere in which hygiene conditions are not as they should be. Other harmful organisms include the rodents and various insects which live parallel lives beside us, and certain algae we find growing in our swimming pools.

Treated Articles

Biocides, or biocidal products, can be consumed directly or applied to arcticles we want to protect. Such an article may be a thing, a substance, or a mixture. For example, articles may include wooden structures, the facades of panel apartment buildings, swimming pool water, clothing, paints or furniture. Probably the most complex and most complicated article treated these days is a passenger car. All these articles take on the properties that originally belonged to the biocidal substance, ensuring their preservation and maintaining their original state. Only then, can they be protected.

Industry

The biocide industry has reached a crossroads. Companies must decide and choose what role they want to play in the market. They can become mere distributors, reselling the products of other companies under their trade name and not having to worry about obtaining authorization, testing, or from whom to buy raw materials for their products. Or, they will choose to take the risk, invest and join a narrow group of producers who will dominate the market. They will be able to offer their product to other companies throughout the European Union, while at the same time confidently ensuring that their product meets all the requirements laid down in the Biocide Regulation and related technical documentation. They can also decide to join forces and seek authorization together through consortia.