Biocidal Product Analysis: Efficacy, Safety and Legal Requirements

What is a biocidal product? Is it useful or harmful?

What is a Biocidal Product?

Biocidal products have been the most talked about and questioned especially during the pandemic process. Biocidal products are products with chemical and biological effects used against microorganisms such as harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, insects and rodents thanks to the active substances they contain. Within the scope of the “Biocidal Product Regulation” published by the Ministry of Health, biocidal products are classified in 4 main groups and 22 product types in total. However, in this article, we will talk about disinfectants, which are today's subject and whose production and consumption have increased.

With the emergence of the first cases of coronavirus, masks and disinfectants became an agenda item in our country as in many countries. Suddenly, masks and disinfectants started to be produced in enterprises called under the stairs, and this situation brought about stricter supervision of production.

Disinfectants contain different active substances. These substances are substances that can adversely affect human health, which should be used in controlled and certain amounts. For this reason, disinfectants pass some analyzes and are licensed and put on the market.

Types of Biocidal Analysis

1. Efficacy Tests: Determines whether products are effective on target microorganisms or pests. It is carried out according to standards such as EN 1276, EN 13697, EN 14476.
2. Chemical Analyses: The amount and stability of active substances (e.g. chlorine, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide) are analyzed. Product content, toxicity and degradation risks are assessed.
3. Physical and Stability Tests: The physical properties of the product (pH, viscosity, solubility) and its durability under storage conditions are tested.
4. Toxicological and Ecotoxicological Assessment: Potential risks to human health and the environment are assessed.
5. Microbiological Tests: The presence of unwanted microorganisms in the product is checked.

Within the scope of the Regulation, biocidal products must be made in national/international laboratories accredited in an analysis parameter within the scope of ISO/IEC 17025 'General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories'.

In other words, the disinfectants offered for sale in the market should actually be products that have been licensed by passing the necessary analyzes from an authorized laboratory. But is it so? How can we find out?

The current list of biocidal products related to human hygiene authorized under product type 1 can be found on the website of the General Directorate of Public Health. The list of authorized biocidal products is published on the website with the company name, product name and license validity date.

You should definitely question the product when buying disinfectant.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Biocidal Product Analysis. We also provide services in Irritation Tests.

Contact us for more information.

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