The Role Of Repellents And Insecticides In Keeping Troublesome Insects At Bay: Industry Working Together To Emphasize Critical Role Of Biocides To Eu Regulators

Together through their European industry association, A.I.S.E. (the International Association for Soaps,
Detergents and Maintenance products), the manufacturers of insecticides and repellents for household and professional use have joined forces in order to communicate to EU Authorities (ECHA, European Commission, EU Member States and NGOs) on the importance of biocides for people’s protection. This Working Group has recently (mid 2019) developed a brochure which gives information on the troublesome insects in and around homes, healthcare and other institutional settings in Europe (eg food factories), and on the role of insecticides and repellents in protecting our health and environments. The brochure provides an overview on life-threatening diseases as well as nuisances caused by insects; it also hints at the consequences of climate change and travel in helping the proliferation of such insects, describes the most relevant ones found in European homes and their consequences. It also shows the vast disparity that exists across the different EU member States in terms of insects presence, diseases, consumption of insecticides and repellents (which represented 903 Mns euros in 2018). The rigorous regulatory process which enables the placing on the market of insecticides is also explained (as Biocidal products), as well as activities to promote safe use of products. These findings indicate a growing need to protect against infection, infestation and insect-transmitted disease in and around homes, healthcare and other institutional settings in Europe. In this context, repellents and insecticides provide a vital line of defence, responsibly used and strictly regulated in Europe under the Biocidal Products Regulation.