Archived News Article
New ‘Guide to European Biocidal Products Regulations’
The Furniture Industry Research Association have released their first publication for 2019, entitled ‘Guide to European Biocidal Products Regulations’. The guide aims to support furniture organisations in complying with the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012).
The BPR concerns the placing on the market and use of biocidal products, which are used to protect humans, animals, materials or articles against harmful organisms like pests or bacteria, by the action of the active substances contained in the biocidal product.
The three groups of biocides defined under the BPR (disinfectants and general biocides; preservatives; pest control) are widely used across the furniture industry. As such the new 30 page ‘Guide to European Biocidal Products Regulations’ aims to give a good understating of the BPR, alongside offering practical advice through comprehensive sections on:
- Scope and objectives of the BPR
- Biocidal products
- Treated articles
- Responsibilities in the supply chain
- Efficacy of biocidal products
- Best practice and due diligence for retailers
- BPR supplier evaluation, selection and control
- Enforcement of the regulation
- Potential furniture products with biocidal properties
Speaking on the publication of the guide, author, Bruce Lovell, Consultant at FIRA International, said “The BPR is perhaps a less understood regulation. In essence the regulation ensures the use of biocides do not pose a risk to health, so it’s a key regulation to adhere to.
“Biocides can be used across any type of furniture product, so compliance is key. It could be that wooden furniture has an insecticidal wood preservative in order to protect it from becoming infested. Leather upholstery may be treated with a fungicide to protect the leather from decay; or a mattress is treated with a biocide in order to control dust mites. These are just three examples, but they show how common biocides are.
“The guide aims to demystify the regulations – which are enforced via the Health and Safety Executive, local authorities and other bodies. With this in mind it’s vital for the furniture industry to be aware of the BPR alongside having the correct measures and controls in place.”
The ‘Guide to European Biocidal Products Regulations’ is available to all FIRA members here and is free as part of the membership benefits programme. Non-members of the Furniture Industry Research Association can purchase the guide for £150+VAT from here.
