MEMO/10/435
Brussels, 22 September 2010
Statement of Commissioner Potočnik following the European Parliament vote on the Proposal for a Regulation on biocides
"I welcome the European Parliament's positive vote on the proposed Biocides Regulation. I am glad to see that the objectives which drove the Commission's proposal in June 2009 remain at the forefront. The Parliament has voted in support of rules which provide the right balance between ensuring that biocidal products are safe for people and the environment, whilst simplifying procedures related to their authorisation. I support in principle the opening up of the Union authorisation to a wider group of biocidal products, but we must be realistic about whether the system can deal with so many products coming within its scope, and doing so at the same time. An appropriate and workable mechanism for progressive opening up of the system has to be put in place."
