Basic drift values in the authorisation procedure for biocidal products (PT 18)

Abstract

Biocidal products are very diverse. Therefore, biocidal products are divided into 4 main groups and 22 product types. Product type 18 includes products for the control of insects, acaricides and agents against other arthropods. There is an overlap of products for plant protection, but biocides are subject to their own regulation, the Biocidal Products Regulation. In addition, in contrast to plant protection, it is not known how and where the biocidal products are used, what environmental impact these products have and what measures can be taken to minimise the environmental impact. Thus, there is no scientific knowledge available for the risk assessment of biocidal products. On behalf of the Federal Environment Agency, the JKI carried out large-scale measurements of drift at various application areas, such as solitary tree, avenue and forest edge, and with various devices, such as cannon sprayer, helicopter and UAV, for the control of the oak processionary moth. The result was a list of recommended basic drift values for three application areas in combination with five devices. At the beginning of 2022, these basic drift values were recognised by the member states of the European Commission and will in future be included in the risk assessment of biocidal products for the control of the oak processionary moth.