BAM Assessment Point for Biocides

Biocides are used when harmful organisms are to be killed or dispelled from human beings or domestic animals. The range of parasites reaches from gnawing animals (e.g. rats and mice), insects (e.g. wood worms, mosquitoes), spiders and shells to micro-organisms like mould fungi and bacteria. If biocides containing products are applied incorrectly, they are potentially dangerous both for non-target organisms and for users, since these products contain toxic substances.

To ensure that biocide products take effect but do not have any harmful side effects for people, non-target organisms and the environment, a European regulation was introduced. In February 1998, the biocide Council Directive (98/8/EC) of the European Parliament came into force. It was transferred into German law by amendment of the Chemical law (ChemG) in June 2002. The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) with its’ Authorisation Unit for Biocides has been appointed authority. This Authorisation Unit is responsible for two procedures:

1. Request for inclusion biocides of an active substance into the directive 98/8/EC
2. Request for authorisation of a biocide product in an EU Member State and mutual recognition of biocide products between the EU Member States

The Authorisation Unit for Biocides at BAuA is supported by other authorities:

• Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) - responsible for health risk evaluation
• Federal Environmental Agency (UBA - responsible for ecological risk evaluation
• Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA division 4) - responsible for occupational risk assessment
• Robert Koch-Institute (RKI) - responsible for evaluation of effectiveness of disinfectants in the medical area
• Julius Kuehn-Institute - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants (JKI) - responsible for evaluation of effectiveness of control of rodents and storage protection agents
• BAM Federal Institute for Material Research and Testing (BAM).

BAM Assessment Point for Biocides acts on behalf of BAUA’s Authorisation Unit for Biocides.

BAM group Technical Aspects of Environmental Law coordinates the evaluation of biocide dossiers from various BAM divisions:

• Division 2.2 Reactive Substances and Systems is responsible for the physical-chemical characteristics such as flammability, flash point, explosive and oxidizing properties of biocide products
• Division 3.2 Tanks for Dangerous Goods and Accidental Mechanics is responsible for the assessment of the compatibilty of packaging materials with biocide products
• Division 4.1 Biology in Materials Protection and Environmental Issues evaluates the effectiveness of biocide products in material protection such as:
  • In-can preservative against formation of mould in water based paints/colours and adhesives
  • Film preservative against algae, fungi and lichens on hardened paints, plastics and wall adhesives
  • Food preservation against wood-destroying insects, fungi and micro-organisms
  • Preservatives to protect fibres, leathers, rubber and polymerised materials
  • Masonry preservatives for brick-work and plasters
  • Protective agents for liquids in cooling and processing systems
  • Slime protective agents in wood and paper pulp
  • Protective agents for metalworking fluids
  • Antifouling-products for the protection of underwater painting at ships against settlements
  • Liquids for embalming and body preparation (taxidermy)
• Division 7.3 Fire Engineering evaluates the behaviour of biocidal products in case of fire, in particular of volatile materials (emissions) in connection with accident fires.

The BAM Assessment Point for Biocides examines the interim reports from BAM’s divisions and prepares a full report for the Authorisation Unit for Biocides at BAuA. On request, expert reports are prepared for the Federal Ministries, for the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) and for other agencies of the the EU Commission.

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