Temporary changes to GB biocides application processing times
Following the end of the EU exit transition period on 31 December 2020, businesses needed to resubmit product applications to HSE by various deadlines.
Due to the large number of resubmissions received, a new law is being introduced to temporarily change the timeframes for processing product applications under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR).
Draft legislation 'The Biocidal Products (Health and Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2022'[67] - legislation.gov.uk website
The new law is planned to come into force on 31 December 2022, subject to parliamentary procedures.
What the changes are
The new law extends the timeframes for HSE to:
- request the fees for resubmitted product applications to 31 December 2027
- complete the evaluations of resubmitted product applications until at least 31 December 2027
- complete the evaluations of new product applications made over the next 5 years until at least 31 December 2027
The new law also ensures that products can remain legally on the market during these extended time periods.
To help businesses supplying biocidal products under COPR[68], HSE is putting arrangements in place to allow certain amendments (including new trade names) to existing COPR approvals whilst those products are waiting for GB BPR authorisation.
Look out for the announcement of the new arrangements in a future Biocides eBulletin.
Get the Biocides eBulletin[69]
Impact on resubmitted product applications
HSE is currently developing a work programme for all resubmitted product applications to ensure they can be processed as efficiently as possible.
If your application is affected by these changes, HSE will contact you directly to explain the impact.
The requesting of fees for applications resubmitted as GB national authorisations may be delayed until 31 December 2027.
Where fees are requested and paid before 31 December 2026, evaluations will normally be completed by 31 December 2027 – unless additional information is required to complete the evaluation.
Where fees are requested and paid after 31 December 2026, evaluations will be completed following the normal timescales for national authorisations.[71]
The requesting of fees for applications resubmitted as same biocidal products may be delayed until 31 December 2027.
Where fees are requested and paid before 1 November 2027, evaluations will normally be completed by 31 December 2027 – unless additional information is required to complete the evaluation.
Where fees are requested and paid after 1 November 2027, evaluations will be completed following the normal timescales for same biocidal products[72].
The requesting of fees for applications resubmitted as minor changes to existing GB authorisations may be delayed until 31 December 2027.
Where fees are requested and paid before 2 October 2027, evaluations will normally be completed by 31 December 2027 – unless additional information is required to complete the evaluation.
Where fees are requested and paid after 2 October 2027, evaluations will be completed following the normal timescales for minor changes[73].
The requesting of fees for applications resubmitted as major changes to existing GB authorisations may be delayed until 31 December 2027.
Where fees are requested and paid before 4 July 2027, evaluations will normally be completed by 31 December 2027 – unless additional information is required to complete the evaluation.
Where fees are requested and paid after 4 July 2027, evaluations will be completed following the normal timescales for major changes[74].
Impact on new product applications
Any new GB product applications made over the next 5 years may be affected.
If your application is affected by these changes, HSE will contact you directly to explain the impact.
The requesting of fees for new applications for GB national authorisations will not be delayed.
Where fees are requested and paid before 31 December 2026, the completion of evaluations may be delayed until 31 December 2027 – or longer if additional information is required to complete the evaluation.
The requesting of fees for new applications for same biocidal products will not be delayed.
Where fees are requested and paid before 1 November 2027, the completion of evaluations may be delayed until 31 December 2027 – or longer if additional information is required to complete the evaluation.
The requesting of fees for new applications for minor changes to existing GB authorisations will not be delayed.
Where fees are requested and paid before 2 October 2027, the completion of evaluations may be delayed until 31 December 2027 – or longer if additional information is required to complete the evaluation.
The requesting of fees for new applications for major changes to existing GB authorisations will not be delayed.
Where fees are requested and paid before 4 July 2027, the completion of evaluations may be delayed until 31 December 2027 – or longer if additional information is required to complete the evaluation.