What are the different types of biocidal products? And what product should you use for what purpose? An overview.
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Biocidal products as disinfectants
PRODUCT TYPE 1 Human hygiene
Products in this group are biocidal products used for human hygiene purposes, in contact with human skin, for the primary purpose of disinfecting the skin.
PRODUCT TYPE 2 Disinfectants and algaecides not intended for direct application to humans or animals
Products used for the disinfection of surfaces, materials, equipment and furniture not in direct contact with food or feed. Application areas include swimming pools, aquariums, bathing and other waters; air conditioning systems; and walls and floors in private, public and industrial areas and in other areas for professional activities.
Products used for disinfection of air, water not used for human or animal consumption, chemical toilets, waste water, hospital waste and soil.
Products used as algaecides for treatment of swimming pools, aquariums and other waters and for remedial treatment of construction materials.
Products incorporated in textiles, tissues, masks, paints and other articles or materials with the purpose of producing treated articles with disinfecting properties.
PRODUCT TYPE 3 Veterinary hygiene
Products used for veterinary hygiene purposes such as disinfectants, disinfecting soaps, oral or bodily hygiene products or products with an antimicrobial function.
Products used to disinfect the materials and surfaces associated with the housing or transportation of animals.
PRODUCT TYPE 4 Food and feed area
Products used for the disinfection of equipment, containers, consumption utensils, surfaces or pipework associated with the production, transport, storage or consumption of food or feed (including drinking water) for humans and animals.
Products used to infuse materials which may come into contact with food.
PRODUCT TYPE 5 Drinking water
Products used for the disinfection of drinking water (for humans and animals).
Biocidal products as preservatives
PRODUCT TYPE 6 Preservatives for products during storage
Products used for the preservation of manufactured products, other than food, feed, cosmetics or medicinal products or medical devices, through the control of microbial deterioration to ensure their shelf life. Products used as preservatives for the storage or use of rodenticides, insecticides or other baits.
Sub-categories:
6.1.1. Washing and cleaning fluids (human hygiene products)
6.1.2. Washing and cleaning fluids (general) and other detergents
6.2. Paints and coatings
6.3.1. Fluids used in paper production
6.3.1. Fluids used in textile production
6.3.3. Fluids used in leather production
6.4.1. Lubricants
6.4.2. Machine oils
6.5. Fuels
6.6. Glues and adhesives
6.7. Other
PRODUCT TYPE 7 Film preservatives
Products used for the preservation of films or coatings through the control of microbial deterioration or algal growth in order to protect the original properties of the surface of materials or objects such as paints, plastics, sealants, wall adhesives, binders, papers and art works.
PRODUCT TYPE 8 Wood preservatives
Products used for the preservation of wood, from and including the saw-mill stage, or wood products through the control of wood-destroying or wood-disfiguring organisms, including insects. This product type includes both preventive and curative products.
PRODUCT TYPE 9 Fibre, leather, rubber and polymerised materials preservatives
Products used for the preservation of fibrous or polymerised materials, such as leather, rubber or paper or textile products, through the control of microbial deterioration. This product type includes biocidal products which prevent the settlement of micro-organisms on the surface of materials and therefore hamper or prevent the development of odour and/or offer other kinds of benefits.
PRODUCT TYPE 10 Construction material preservatives
Products used for the preservation of masonry, composite materials or other construction materials other than wood through the control of microbial and algal degradation.
PRODUCT TYPE 11 Preservatives for liquid-cooling and processing systems
Used for the preservation of water or other liquids used in cooling and processing systems by the control of harmful organisms such as microbes, algae and mussels.
Products used for the disinfection of drinking water or of water for swimming pools are not included under this product type.
PRODUCT TYPE 12 Slimicides
Products used for the prevention or control of slime growth on materials, equipment and structures used in industrial processes, e.g. on wood and paper pulp and porous sand strata in the field of oil extraction.
PRODUCT TYPE 13 Working or cutting fluid preservatives
Products to control microbial deterioration in fluids used for working or cutting metal, glass or other materials.
Biocidal products for pest control
PRODUCT TYPE 14 Rodenticides
Products used for the control of mice, rats or other rodents, by means other than repulsion or attraction. Read more about rodenticides.
PRODUCT TYPE 15 Avicides
Products used for the control of birds, by means other than repulsion or attraction.
PRODUCT TYPE 16 Molluscicides, vermicides and products to control other invertebrates
Products used for the control of molluscs, worms and invertebrates not covered by other product types, by means other than repulsion or attraction.
PRODUCT TYPE 17 Piscicides
Products used for the control of fish, by means other than repulsion or attraction.
PRODUCT TYPE 18 Insecticides, acaricides and products to control other arthropods
Products used for the control of arthropods (e.g. insects, arachnids and crustaceans), by means other than repulsion or attraction.
PRODUCT TYPE 19 Repellents and attractants
Products used to control harmful organisms (invertebrates such as fleas, vertebrates such as birds, fish, rodents), by repelling or attracting them, including those that are used for human or veterinary hygiene purposes either directly on the skin or indirectly in the environment of humans or animals.
PRODUCT TYPE 20 Control of other vertebrates
Used for the control of vertebrates other than those already covered by the other product types of this main group, by means other than repulsion or attraction.
Other biocidal products
PRODUCT TYPE 21 Antifouling products
Products used to control the growth and settlement of fouling organisms (microbes and higher forms of plant or animal species) on vessels, aquaculture equipment or other structures used in water.
PRODUCT TYPE 22 Embalming and taxidermist fluids
Products used for the disinfection and preservation of human or animal corpses or parts thereof.
Downloads and links
Refer to the list of product types on the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) website.