New ECHA Guideline for the Biocides' Risk Assessment

On 14 February, the new ECHA Guideline on Bees was published to support companies and authorities in assessing the risk to bees from the use of biocides. This groundbreaking guidance provides an innovative approach to assessing the risks of biocides on honeybees, bumblebees and solitary bees, based on the latest scientific findings.

The document, part of the EU's initiatives to counter the decline of pollinators by 2030 and preserve biodiversity, is a significant step towards greater awareness and protection of these vital creatures for our ecosystem.

What does this guide imply for companies and authorities?

Chemicals in products such as insecticides and acaricides can damage bees' nervous systems, weaken their immune systems and make them more susceptible to disease. This guide aims to mitigate these risks by providing a clear and up-to-date framework for the evaluation of biocides.

The guide will provide companies applying for approval of an active substance or authorization of a product under the EU Biocides Regulation with a clear framework for conducting a risk assessment. In addition, it outlines the guiding principles for the evaluation of applications by authorities and for assessing whether a biocidal product complies with authorization conditions.

For those interested in learning more, ECHA will organize a webinar on 5 March from 11am to 1pm, Helsinki time. During the event, experts who contributed to the preparation of the guidance will provide an overview of its content and answer questions from participants.

Your Tailored Testing Solutions!

Our experts are at your disposal to evaluate the best testing strategies in relation to new data requirements, exposure scenarios resulting from the use of biocides, and special aspects of bee risk assessment.

Further informations:
info@labanalysis.it