ECHA Biocidal Products Committee Opinions on Active Substances and Authorisations

ECHA News

Published March 4th, 2026

Detected March 6th, 2026

Summary

The European Chemicals Agency's Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) adopted six opinions on active substances and two on Union authorisations in its February 2026 meeting. These opinions concern substances like ethanol, DMDMH, hydrochloric acid, C(M)IT/MIT, and peracetic acid, impacting various product types. The European Commission will make the final decisions.

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What changed

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced via a news alert that its Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) adopted six opinions on active substances and two on Union authorisations during its February 2026 meeting. Key outcomes include supporting the approval of ethanol for human hygiene and disinfectants, not supporting DMDMH for certain preservative uses, and supporting the renewal of hydrochloric acid for disinfectants. Additionally, the committee adopted opinions supporting Union authorisations for biocidal product families containing C(M)IT/MIT and peracetic acid for various preservative and hygiene applications.

These adopted opinions are advisory and will inform the final decisions made by the European Commission and EU Member States. Companies involved in the manufacturing or import of biocidal products using these active substances should monitor the final decisions from the European Commission. While no immediate compliance deadline is stated, the outcomes indicate potential shifts in the approval status and usage conditions for these chemicals within the EU, requiring manufacturers and importers to prepare for potential changes in product formulations or authorisation requirements.

What to do next

Monitor final decisions from the European Commission regarding the adopted BPC opinions.
Review product formulations and authorisation strategies in light of potential changes to approved active substances and their uses.

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Highlights from February BPC meeting

ECHA/NR/26/13

ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) adopted six opinions on active substances and two on Union authorisations.

Helsinki, 4 March 2026 – The BPC, in its February meeting, adopted the following opinions on active substances:

supporting the approval of ethanol for product-types 1 (human hygiene), 2 (disinfectants and algaecides not intended for direct application to humans or animals) and 4 (food and feed area);
not supporting the approval of DMDMH for product-types 6 (preservatives for products during storage) and 13 (working or cutting fluid preservatives); and
supporting the renewal of Hydrochloric acid for product-type 2.
The committee adopted the following two opinions supporting Union authorisations for:
biocidal product family containing C(M)IT/MIT (3:1) for the following product-types:
- 6 – preservatives for products during storage;
- 11 – preservatives for liquid-cooling and processing systems;
- 12 – slimicides; and
- 13 – working or cutting fluid preservatives.
biocidal product family containing Peracetic acid for product-type 3 (veterinary hygiene).
More information about the committee’s conclusions is available in the annex. The European Commission together with the EU Member States will take the final decisions based on the BPC’s opinions.

Listen also to our Safer Chemicals Podcast with the BPC Chair Joost van Galen.

The committee met from 23 to 25 February 2026. The adopted opinions will be available on ECHA’s website soon. The next meeting will take place from 25 to 29 May 2026.

Further information
- Annex to news [PDF][EN]
- Meeting agenda [PDF][EN]
- ECHA’s Biocides Committee supports approval of ethanol in disinfectants, 24 February 2026
- Product-types
- Approval of active substances
- Union authorisation
- Biocidal Products Committee
Press contact: Päivi Jokiniemi, press@echa.europa.eu, +358 50 416 7629