BPD status of DuPont™ Virkon®

The implementation of the European Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) means that from 1st September 2006 biocidal products, such as disinfectants, may only be sold and stored prior to use within the European Union if all the active substances in those products are being supported by their manufacturers through the BPD review process. As a result, many active substances will no longer be available for use in biocidal products in Europe and the total number of biocidal products legally available will be substantially reduced. These withdrawals do not necessarily mean that the products are no longer considered effective or safe; the reasons for withdrawal are generally economic as active substance manufacturers cannot justify the considerable expenditure necessary to meet these new regulatory requirements.

DuPont is committed to providing complete, effective and sustainable products and this letter informs you about the future status under the BPD of DuPont™ Virkon®.

DuPont manufactures DuPont™ Oxone®), the active substance in DuPont™ Virkon® , and as required by the Review Regulation (1896/2000), we submitted a notification to the ECB (European Chemicals Bureau) for Oxone® as an existing active substance for use in several of the biocidal product types specified in Annex V of the BPD. The ECB has confirmed that our notification has been accepted. We have subsequently commenced discussions with the nominated Rapporteur Member State, Slovenia, who will assess the data on Oxone® on behalf of the European Commission, and DuPont will submit a dossier containing the data necessary for a full risk assessment to the Rapporteur by the specified deadline of 31 July 2007. Oxone® continues to be allowed for use in the notified biocidal product types while this evaluation process continues and we anticipate the long term availability of DuPont™ Virkon®.

Mike Baldry
Registration Manager