The Raised Potential for Vector-Borne Diseases in European Travelers Following the EU's Biocide Directive on DEET Dosing.

Abstract

A “biocide” is a chemical which, by chemical or biological means, kills, repels, or renders harmless any unwanted organism and is used to control organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and insects, including insect repellents. Strict laws apply to the supply and use of biocides to ensure that they can be used without causing significant harm to people, the environment, or non‐target animals. The new European Union (EU) Biocidal Products Regulation (EU 528/2012, known as the BPR) 1 sets the standards for safety assessment and authorization of biocidal products. The biocide laws work through two processes—“approval” and “authorization.” A National Competent Authority leads government policy on biocidal laws. In the UK, this is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). First the “active substances” are assessed to understand how effective they are and whether there are potential risks to human health, non‐target animals, or the environment and if these can be adequately controlled. If they pass, they are “approved” for use in biocidal products in the EU. Second, approved active substances can be incorporated into biocidal products, which companies must then apply for “authorization” to supply. Products are then assessed for effectiveness (do they repel vectors and for how long) and potential risks (toxicity) and, if they pass, they are “authorized” for supply and use. Active substances used in the biocidal products already on the market were listed in 2000, and they are allowed to remain on the market while being reviewed but sales of unauthorised products to cease by August 2016. Since 2012, commercial products containing items on the active list were to be submitted for authorization, along with the data on the products content, on each active substance, and on their effectiveness and possible adverse effects to humans and the environment. The chemical substance N , N ‐diethyl‐meta‐toluamide (commonly …