The ebulletin contains information on regulating biocides in Great Britain.

The GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR) operates independently from the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (EU BPR), which applies in Northern Ireland.

Separate ebulletins containing information specific to regulating biocides in Northern Ireland are issued as appropriate.


The law for biocidal products in GB is changing

Temporary changes to GB biocides statutory application processing times

Following the end of the EU exit transition period on 31 December 2020, businesses needed to resubmit product applications to HSE by various deadlines.

Due to the large number of resubmissions received, a new law is being introduced in GB to temporarily extend the statutory deadlines for processing product applications under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation for a period of up to 5 years.

The new law will allow biocidal products on the market in GB awaiting decision on their application to remain there legally until they are processed by HSE. After 5 years the statutory deadline will revert to the existing length.

The new law is planned to come into force on 31 December 2022, subject to parliamentary procedures.

Find out more about the changes and the applications that may be affected