HSE Report Forecasts Big Savings from Biocides Rule
Improved procedures and lower testing costs are included in the industry's estimated savings of as much as 26.4 million pounds annually.
Britain's Health and Safety Executive has released a report it commissioned evaluating the U.K. impact of a proposed European Regulation on the marketing and use of biocidal products. The European Commission proposed such a directly-acting European Regulation in 2009 to replace the current Biocidal Products Directive (98/8/EC), with the goal of reducing costs while maintaining the level of protection to human and animal health and the environment it currently offers, according to HSE.
An EU-level Impact Assessment already was prepared by the European Commission. HSE commissioned this additional study from Entec UK Ltd, based on preferred options included in the commission's June 12, 2009, proposal.
The finished report forecasts savings from improved product authorization procedures and from data-sharing and data efficiencies. It also said more biocidal products will be brought to market and animal testing will be reduced. The report estimates the regulation as proposed would yield a cost savings between 135 million and 264 million pounds ($212 million to $416 million in U.S. dollars) for U.K. industry during a 10-year period, and it identifies areas where savings could be higher if further simplification and streamlining of the current regulatory scheme are achieved.