Source: European Parliament
22.10.2025
Question for written answer E-004160/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE)
Regulation (EU) 528/2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products (Biocidal Products Regulation – BPR) was adopted with the aim of protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects of biocidal substances. However, its current wording often fails to reflect rapid technological developments in filtration materials and technologies that do not use chemical biocides, but are nevertheless effective in capturing and inactivating microorganisms.
As a result, innovative companies developing safe and scientifically proven technologies with a physical effect (e.g., permanent electrostatic charge or ‘NanoFlashing’) face severe restrictions in their ability to market and advertise. Although these products can be sold legally as harmless to health, any mention of their effectiveness against microorganisms is considered a violation of the BPR, even though it does not rely on a chemical reaction, but a physical process.
In light of the above:
- 1.Is the Commission considering revising Regulation (EU) 528/2012 to take account of new scientific findings and allow innovative technologies with physical effects to be placed on the market without unnecessary legal restrictions?
- 2.Does the Commission plan to expand or clarify the definition of ‘biocidal effect’ so that the physical inactivation of microorganisms is clearly distinguished from the chemical action of biocides?
Submitted: 22.10.2025