Guidance on EU biocide hazard assessment

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has issued new guidance on the human health risk assessment carried out for the EU biocidal products Regulation (528/2012). The guidance takes account of new hazard criteria introduced with the Regulation. It provides technical advice on how to perform the hazard and exposure assessment and risk characterisation for biocidal active ingredients and products. The document is on the ECHA website at: http://echa.europa.eu. Further guidance on the environment risk assessment is under development and is expected to be published this year, the ECHA says. EU biocide legislation covers a wide range of products, including non-crop pesticides.