Biocides
Biocides are active substances or preparations containing one or more active substances which destroy, repel or render harmless harmful organisms, prevent them from acting or fight them in any other way, through chemical or biological action.
Biocides are commonly called non-agricultural pesticides.
There are two types: biocidal active substances and biocidal products.
Biocidal active substances:
Substances or microorganisms, including viruses or fungi, which exert a general or specific action on or against harmful organisms. Biocidal products:
Active substances or preparations containing one or more active substances presented in the form in which they are delivered to the user, which destroy, repel or render harmless harmful organisms, prevent them from acting or fight them in any other way, through chemical or biological action.
In the framework of European procedures, the Agency was asked to be the administrative and scientific coordinator for the assessment of biocidal hazards and risks for human health and the environment. 
Directive 98/8/EC of 16 February 1998 on the placing on the market of biocidal products seeks to standardise regulations in EU member states which are to date very unequal regarding the authorisation of these products, and to guarantee market unity.
But the key objective of this new regulation is to provide a high level of protection for humans, animals and the environment by making sure that only effective biocidal products presenting no acceptable risks are placed on the market.
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