Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of regulations on the manufacture, marketing and sale of biocides; what testing is required in each case to determine the efficacy of those biocides against viruses and bacteria before being sold to the public; and if she will make a statement.

The Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) was introduced as a stand-alone regime for Great Britain at the end of last year. Any review by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would follow evidence based on experience of operating the stand-alone regime in Great Britain. Efficacy is a requirement for the approval of biocidal active substances and authorisation of biocidal products under the BPR.

While the approach to testing varies, all products require the same level of robust testing to demonstrate efficacy. Whether or not a product needs to be authorised by HSE, it is the responsibility of product manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that their products are suitably safe and effective, including meeting any necessary testing standards.