Limitation of biocides

Labelling

If the requirement is verified with a label, check that there is a valid license for the product in question. This can be controlled here: Nordic Swan Ecolabel, Good Environmental Choice and EU Ecolabel.

Safety Data Sheet

This requirement can be verified with safety data sheet for the product. See section 15 “Regulatory information” in the safety data sheet. Any included preservatives are listed here.

Product label/Product Data Sheet

This requirement can be verified by label or product data sheet. Check that the product is not marketed with a claim for biocidal effects or similar on the label/product data sheet.

Self-declaration verified by an accredited verification body

If a verified self-declaration is used to prove that the requirement is fulfilled, request the supplier’s self-declaration, including documentation showing that the requirement is met. The self-declaration shall be verified by a verification body accredited for the task in accordance with ISO / IEC 17029 or equivalent standard.

This requirement can be verified with the product's label or product sheet. More information on this can be found under “follow-up”.

Biocidal products such as disinfectants are not covered by these criteria.

There are currently a limited number of accredited verification bodies for ISO/IEC 17029 (Conformity assessment - General principles and requirements for validation and verification bodies) as it is a relatively new standard. This may change, especially if the demand for verifying compliance in this way increases. More information about the standard and accredited verification bodies can be found on Swedac's website.

Biocide is Latin and means life killer. It is a chemical or biological pesticide with the purpose to prevent animals, plants or microorganisms, including viruses, from causing  injury or inconvenience to human health or property damage.

A small amount of biocide is necessary in order to preserve most chemical-technical products, but overuse of antimicrobial substances could lead to development of resistance. The purpose of this requirement is to prevent biocides being added to products where there is no need. The requirement allows a certain amount of preservative to preserve the product.

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.