Biocidal Product Regulations and the impact on electrochlorination

Since the UK left the European Union in January 2020, many businesses have had to navigate through complex obstacles and hurdles, including changes to regulations.

Many regulatory bodies are controlled by the European Union, meaning the UK had to adapt to new regulations and standardise their own businesses, which caused a ripple of confusion for many industries and sectors – including water disinfection.

Biocidal Product Regulations, like many regulations, fell under EU control, meaning a new regulatory system within the UK had to take charge of the marketplace surrounding biocides and chemical regulations.

What are biocides?

A biocide is a chemical substance, mixture, or microorganism intended to control any harmful organism in a way that is not purely physical or mechanical.

When it comes to the swimming pool industry, frequently utilised biocides include chlorine and sodium hypochlorite, disinfectants used to create clean, safe water for swimming pools.

Biocides can be used by people in their workplace or in their own homes, so it is important that these products can be used without causing harm to people, the environment or wildlife. This is where regulatory bodies come in.

What are Biocidal Product Regulations?

Within the EU, the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012) concerns the placing on the market and use of biocidal products and active substances contained within them.

This regulation aims to improve the functioning of the biocidal products market in the EU, whilst ensuring a high level of protection for humans and the environment.

Following Brexit, the EU BPR 528/2012 has been implemented in the UK as the GB BPR. This means that the regulations now have to be implemented by a UK based organisation – in this case the HSE (Health & Safety Executive).

The HSE recently released an update on ‘active chlorine generated from sodium chloride by electrolysis’ stating that this active substance has been successfully notified into the GB Review Programme – confirming our Hyprolyser®  electrochlorination systems have the green light for business as usual.

What do these changes mean for Gaffey?

We continue to closely monitor Biocidal Product Regulations, ensuring our products and advice always remain up to date and compliant with the latest regulatory requirements.

Despite recent rumours casting some confusion and doubt on electrochlorination and regulations in the UK, Hyprolyser® is safe and compliant under the rules of GB BPR – providing a reliable, sustainable, cost-effective and efficient method of water disinfection within the swimming pool industry and beyond.

Learn more about our Hyprolyser electrochlorination systems at gaffey.co.uk.