Limitation of biocides (antibacterial substances)

Self-declaration based on technical documentation
If the requirement is verified using a self-declaration, conduct a spot check and make sure that there is no mark/label that describes treatment with biocidal products. 
Note that, if the product has a mark/label that describes a product being treated with biocides, the requirement is not met.
 Products treated with biocides are shall be labelled in accordance with the Biocidal Products Directive. Examples of what such a label may look like can be found in the Swedish Chemicals Agency's fact sheet called "Articles treated with biocides". 

If the products lack a mark/label relating to treatment with biocidal products, request information from the supplier about any biocide treatment that has taken place in connection with the products. The information could, for example, consist of a product information sheet, marketing materials or the like, which might mention properties such as "antibacterial". If a product has been treated with biocides, information must be provided regarding the name of any biocide that is present in the product.
Note that, if the marketing materials show the existence of biocide treatment, such as antibacterial, the product does not meet the requirement.

Self-declaration verified by an accredited verification body
If the requirement has been verified through a self-declaration, request the company's self-declaration of compliance with the requirements, including technical documentation, verified by a verification body accredited for the task according to ISO/IEC 17029 or an equivalent standard.

A product that is marketed as having been treated with biocides, such as antibacterial agents, shall be labelled as such according to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products (the Biocides Regulation). Information shall be made available even if the supplier does not market the product as having been treated with biocides, according to Article 58 of the same regulation. Upon request, the supplier of the product must be able to provide information about any biocide treatment within 45 days, even if the product is not marketed to consumers as having been treated with biocides, according to the Biocides Regulation. It is thus possible to demand information from the supplier. Examples of what such a label may look like can be found in the Swedish Chemicals Agency's fact sheet called "Articles treated with biocides".

The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.