Dive into our team’s expertise on the Biocides and REACH markets.

Once a month, our experts will gather all the news and updates in Biocides and REACH markets. They will select major news to help you navigate in the regulations framework.

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BIOCIDES

1. Alphachloralose: public consultation on potential candidate for substitution (PT14)

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has officially launched a public consultation on alphachloralose for its use in rodenticides (Product-Type 14) under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR).

This consultation evaluates whether alphachloralose meets the criteria for a candidate for substitution under Article 10 of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. If confirmed, this status could significantly impact future product authorisations and will necessitate costly comparative assessments.

Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback on:

• Availability of alternative active substances or non-chemical methods
• Technical and economic feasibility of alternatives
• Efficacy for target uses
• Comparative risks to human health, animal health, and the environment

Deadline for comments: August 13, 2026

If your business operates in pest control, manufactures PT14 products, or relies on rodent management solutions, this is a key opportunity to provide technical and market insights and prevent restrictions in active substances and product availability.

Are you preparing a submission, or evaluating alternative strategies for your PT14 portfolio?

Let’s discuss in the comments!

2. EU BPR Update: Alignment on shelf-life for single biocidal products and families (CG-70 / BPC-59)

Following discussions at CG-70 and BPC-59, agreement was reached on a unified approach regarding shelf-life for single products and Biocidal Product Families (BPFs).

What is the agreed approach?

By analogy with single products, where different packagings with varying stability results lead to assigning the shortest shelf-life based on the worst-case scenario—the same principle now applies across the board:

• Single Biocidal Products: Only one shelf-life is assigned to the product (the shortest one based on the worst-case packaging).
• Biocidal Product Families (BPFs): Only one shelf-life is set per meta-SPC (the shortest shelf-life driven by the worst-case packaging).
• Alternative for BPFs: If preferred, applicants have the option to split the meta-SPC by packaging material to preserve longer shelf-lives for specific packaging types.

Implementation Timeline & Scope

• New Applications: Applies immediately to all single product and BPF applications submitted after June 12, 2026.
• Ongoing Applications: Does not apply automatically, but can be implemented on a voluntary basis if agreed between the applicant and the rMS/eCA.
• Renewals: Must be applied during the assessment of upcoming renewals for products and BPFs authorized under previous practices.

Takeaway: If your portfolio relies on multiple packaging types with differing stability profiles, evaluate your meta-SPC strategy early. Deciding whether to accept a single, shorter shelf-life or split your meta-SPCs will be a key step in future submissions and renewals!

How are you planning to adjust your BPF meta-SPC strategies for upcoming submissions? Let’s discuss in the comments!

3. Application and dosing of biocidal products (CG-71)

Correct dosing of biocidal products is a central element of the biocidal product authorisation: Delivering the correct amount of product is highly relevant, as underdosing might lead to non-efficacy, whereas overdosing might lead to human or environmental risk.

The general principle for all biocidal products, regardless of product type, is that :

• The application rate (amount of product per unit) should be known
• Dose rate should be expressed in a meaningful and comprehensible manner, as is required by article 69(2)(g) of the BPR
• Whenever possible, measurements should be expressed using the International System of Units
• The user should be able to deliver the correct amount of product from the packaging or from the treatment solution in case of a preliminary step (e.g. if dilution is needed or in case where the active substance is generated in situ)
• Dosing aids shall be provided as necessary

This CG document is meant to provide further clarity with respect to recurring questions regarding dosing of biocidal products especially for the following PT and use type:

1. PT1professional and non-professional (liquids for hands; pumping/spraying devices)
2. PT8 non-professional (by brushing) and professional (brushing; dosing of powders/granules/EC in professional settings)
3. PT18 non-professionals (pumping/spraying; liquid applied in drops;  dosing of powders/granules/EC in non-professional settings. Same applies for professionals
4. PT19 non-professionals (liquid on the skin/textiles by pouring; by spraying;  pumping/spraying; liquid on the skin by rolling) and for professionals (pumping/spraying;  dosing of powders/granules/EC in professional settings)

Please note that discussions on PT2-4are currently still on-going.

4. Peanut Butter & EU Regulations: Why “No CLP classification” doesn’t mean “Low-risk” under BPR

A fascinating regulatory case study on how different EU frameworks evaluate the same substance:

• CLP: In early 2025, a Harmonised Classification and Labelling (CLH) intention was submitted for peanut butter, proposing “no classification”. On April 21, 2026, this intention was officially withdrawn on the basis that peanut butter presents no hazards requiring CLP Annex I classification.
• BPR: Following this, the Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) discussed and approved the use of peanut butter as an attractant in PT19 biocidal products.
• The Annex I Catch: Despite being a common food item with no CLP classification, the BPC did not support its inclusion in Annex I of the BPR (low-risk active substances). Why? Its potential to trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individualswas flagged under immunotoxicity criteria.

Key Takeaway: The absence of CLP hazard classification does notautomatically qualify a substance for Annex I low-risk status under the BPR. Different frameworks apply different criteria, reminding us that context and exposure routes are everything in regulatory compliance!

REACH

1. Chemical manufacturers may soon be required to help fund Switzerland’s PCN service

The Swiss national poisons centre, Tox Info Suisse, provides services to the public and professionals however the funding to the information centre has been deemed inadequate. The current Chemicals Act provides for the designation and funding of an information centre by the Confederation. A consultation planned for September 2026 proposes amending the Chemicals Act in order to require chemical manufacturers to operate and fund a centralized information service with a similar obligation imposed on holders of marketing authorizations for medicinal products under the Therapeutic Products Act. Public funding would still continue but this proposal would see industry take a greater share of the financial burden.

The consultation will conclude in January 2027, companies who interact with the Swiss PCN service are encouraged to monitor this developing situation.

2. UK REACH transitional deadlines increased by 3 years

The UK House of Lords Grand Committee has considered and agreed to a draft amendment to UK REACH. This amendment will extend the transitional deadlines from 2026, 2028, 2030 to 2029, 2030, 2031. The main driver for this amendment is the need to allow additional time to implement and amend the ATRm which was proposed earlier in the year and is estimated to reduce one-off registration costs by around 70%.

This amendment was welcomed and expected however some in industry have criticised the gaps of 1 year between each deadline feeling that there will no doubt be issues created during the implementation of the 2029 deadline which will be unable to be resolved within 1 year. Additionally the amendment provides no update on the outstanding questions regarding ATRm such as the practicalities of data sharing.

For now, companies should revise their registration strategies to account for the extended deadlines and continue monitoring the news for updates regarding ATRm.

CROSS DISCIPLINARY

1. SMEs in the EU Chemical Industry: Important changes to your fee reductions

Starting February 5, 2027, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) dealing with chemicals in the EU will need to apply in advance to benefit from reduced fees under REACH and CLP.

To help you navigate this new process smoothly, ECHA is hosting a dedicated webinar:

Date:November 5, 2026

Time: 11:00 – 13:00 (Helsinki time) / 10:00 – 12:00 (CET)

What you’ll learn:

• Key changes to the fee reduction process
• Step-by-step walkthrough of the new workflow
• Exactly what information and documentation you’ll need
• How to apply using ECHA’s digital tools

Whether you are applying for the first time or are familiar with the previous process, this session will ensure you’re fully prepared ahead of the deadline.

2. PPWR Toolkit released ahead of August 12 Deadline

The European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment (EUROPEN) has released an online toolkit to help businesses comply with the upcoming PPWR deadline of August 12 2026. The toolkit will aid businesses with packaging entering the EU market after the deadline, where mandatory conformity assessments go into effect.

Under the new rules businesses must perform a conformity assessment against the regulations sustainability criteria, draft official EU Declarations of Conformity and compile supporting Technical Documentation for every packaging type. These obligations are mandatory across the entire packaging supply chain and will directly affect manufacturers, importers, fillers and distributors. Companies can review this toolkit ahead of the August 12 deadline to better aid their understanding of the regulations and allow clearer communication between themselves and companies supporting them with PPWR compliance.

Whether you need assistance about compliance, product registration or any other regulatory issue, our experts are here to provide support: Aviron-Violet Sophie, Elena Campagnoli, Benjamin Heal, ALESSANDRO CASELLATO, Hélène Detrimont, George Leathley

Contact us contact@staphyt.com or visit our website : staphyt.com