Essential uses of biocidal products containing copper in Germany
Commission Decision 2014/395/EU allows Germany to authorise the placing on the market of biocidal products containing copper for the following uses listed in the Annex to the Decision:
- For the prevention of biofouling in the water inlet/pumps and throughout the entire pipework and waterway system of offshore oil and gas platforms, and other marine and costal installations.
- For the prevention of biofouling of the water inlet/pumps and throughout the entire pipework and waterway system of a ship.
Placing on the market for other biocidal uses in product type 11 is not authorised in Germany.
General decree on biocidal products containing copper
The active substance copper is currently assessed in product type 11, although it is not yet possible to estimate whether and when approval will be granted.
Therefore, the general decree generally authorises the placing on the market and use of copper anodes as biocidal products for product type 11 for the above mentioned uses in Germany. No separate applications for individual authorisations are required.
The general decree in German language can be found on our German Website.
For Information on the placing on the market and use of copper-containing biocidal products in other Member States that are also affected by the above-mentioned Commission decision, please contact the competent authorities of the respective Member States.
Duration of the essential use of copper
The general decree is issued subject to revocation at any time.
In order to maintain the continued marketability of the biocidal product in the event of a positive decision to approve the active substance copper, it will be necessary to submit a timely application for regular authorisation, for which the regular data requirements of the BPR apply. Further information on the regular authorisation procedure can be found on the REACH-CLP Biocides Helpdesk page.
Quantity notification of sales volumes for biocidal products made available on the market
Biocidal products for essential uses must also fulfil the obligations of the Biocide Law Implementation Ordinance (Biozidrechts-Durchführungsverordnung, ChemBiozidDV). This means that the manufacturer or importer of the biocidal product (i.e. the copper anode) must, among other things, notify the BfC of the quantity of the biocidal product that he has supplied to recipients resident or domiciled in Germany or that he has exported in accordance with Section 16 ChemBiozidDV. Further information on the quantity notification is available on the BAuA website.