Assessment Of The Efficacy Of Biocidal Products Against Examples Of Urban Pests

Assessment of the biocidal products against urban pests are based on robust methodologies, which are
described in various European guidelines. The guidelines are regularly improved thanks to experience gained during biocidal product assessment, and European technical expert meetings. The objective is to present different methodologies applicable to urban pests to prove efficacy according to the biocidal regulation (UE) 528/2012. For this purpose, four types of products (PT) are targeted: PT8 (against wood pests), PT14 (against rodents), PT18 (against insects) and PT19 (Repellents and Attractants): To demonstrate the efficacy of wood preservatives, the European guideline is based on harmonized standards developed by European Committee for Standardization (CEN), which covers almost all possible biocidal claims. Moreover, in order to describe clearly the claims, “application codes” have been defined to categorize uses according to the users, the wood category, the target organisms, the mode of application. For rodenticides, the guideline has recently been revised to improve the protocols and the requirements to validate the efficacy. The unacceptable effects (resistance) should also normally be assessed. Even if no European harmonized approach exists presently, FR CA requires that authorisation holders perform a resistance monitoring and provide the information at the renewal of the product authorisations. For insecticides, requirements and methodologies that must be used for the assessment of the efficacy depend on target organisms, but also on type of users, mode of application, treated area, etc. Issue of resistance should also be taken into account. In the case of repellents and attractants, no specific general guidelines are currently available and harmonized between Member states. Nevertheless, general requirements of the PT18 guidelines should be fulfilled and in-house methodologies can be used to demonstrate the efficacy. Currently, strong discussions take place at Efficacy Working Group of EChA to develop new guidance (including insects and vertebrates).