EU Member States and members of the European Parliament are currently discussing new rules for the authorisation of biocides.

HEAL works to ensure that the revision of the EU biocides rules guarantees the highest level of health and environment protection. As these substances are used in the household, they’re potential health impact on children and other vulnerable groups is large, which means we have to exert extra care.

The envisaged new rules should also not fall back behind the achievements made in the recent pesticides package, especially regarding the phase out of certain hazardous biocides.

HEAL works specifically to ensure that exposure to biocides which harm the development of the nervous and immune system is minimised and that there will be rules in place for the sustainable use of biocides. As scientists have recently voiced concerns about an increasing antibiotic resistance due to biocide overuse, reducing use and exposure remains a priority.