BIOCIDAL REGULATION FAVOURS QUALITY

The British Coatings Federation’s Marine Coatings Group has clarified the EU's Biocidal Products Regulation aiming to ensure antifouling paints with the appropriate quality and performance remain available on the European market.

This follows industry concern regarding the use and availability of antifouling paints after implementation of the regulation. As antifouling paints are classed as biocidal products they are subjected to an authorisation process under the BPR with some products withdrawn and replacement products being introduced to the market.

Trevor Fielding, regulatory affairs manager at the BCF, said it 'aims to clarify the use of antifouling products under the BPR. We trust that the objectives of the BPR will be achieved if industry, users and regulators work together'.

“There is confusion that some antifouling products have been banned under the regulation, which is not necessarily correct – this depends on the composition of the paint,” he said.

Antifouling paints now fall into one of several categories regarding their status, current and future availability and possible legal requirement to phase out.

The regulation aims to make sure antifouling paints can be used safely by informed DIY painters, with minimum impact on the environment.

Whether the regulation remains the same post-Brexit is currently unknown.