ECHA Launches Comparison Service For Biocidal Active Substances

As from February 2014 the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is due to provide a new service which will give industry the opportunity to compare two or more sources of biocidal active substances.

It is understood that this ''similarity service check'' resembles ECHA's technical equivalence assessment which is described in the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). However, what is really unique about the new service is that, unlike the assessment under the BPR which is applicable to active substances on a general basis, it only applies where there is no final decision on the approval of the active substance. In essence, the check takes into account the substance's identity and chemical composition and can be used to: