This summer, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) issued new Guidance for the Efficacy Testing of Antifouling Products. This new ECHA document will be included in the new guidance structure under the Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR). The new ECHA guidance is intended to provide applicants with a description of how to document efficacy when applying for approval for antifouling products under the EU BPR. It provides detailed procedures on how to conduct static raft testing and how to report the results.
Together with CEPE (the European coatings and printing ink association), the International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC) has a procedure for Efficacy Evaluation of Antifouling Products that is annexed with the new ECHA guidance. However, the degree of rigor and amount of data asked for in the EU guidance goes beyond the recommendations in this industry methodology.
The coatings industry — in particular, the marine coatings sector — has worked closely with the EU for several years to initiate and finalize this ECHA guidance. Efficacy testing is part of product development processes that can take years; with ECHA’s new guidance, industry will know exactly what data is required under the BPR. As such, industry now has to be able to design test procedures in accordance with what has to be provided in the various EU countries.
Of note, antifouling products will not be evaluated under the BPR at the EU level, but rather, by Evaluating Member States chosen by each applicant.
The new ECHA guidance is posted on the organization’s website at
http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/15623299/biocides_transitional_guidance_efficacy_pt_21_en.pdf.
Together with CEPE (the European coatings and printing ink association), the International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC) has a procedure for Efficacy Evaluation of Antifouling Products that is annexed with the new ECHA guidance. However, the degree of rigor and amount of data asked for in the EU guidance goes beyond the recommendations in this industry methodology.
The coatings industry — in particular, the marine coatings sector — has worked closely with the EU for several years to initiate and finalize this ECHA guidance. Efficacy testing is part of product development processes that can take years; with ECHA’s new guidance, industry will know exactly what data is required under the BPR. As such, industry now has to be able to design test procedures in accordance with what has to be provided in the various EU countries.
Of note, antifouling products will not be evaluated under the BPR at the EU level, but rather, by Evaluating Member States chosen by each applicant.
The new ECHA guidance is posted on the organization’s website at
http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/15623299/biocides_transitional_guidance_efficacy_pt_21_en.pdf.
