Approval of the biocidal active substances BIT and DBNPA
The European Commission has published implementing regulations approving the active substances BIT (for PT6 and PT13) and DBNPA (for PT6)
28 May 2025On 22 May 2025, the European Commission published Implementing Regulations (EU) 2025/929 and 2025/937, which respectively approve the biocidal active substances ‘BIT (benzisothiazolinone)’ (EC 220-120-9 | CAS 2634-33-5) and ‘DBNPA (2,2-dibromo-2-cyanoacetamide)’ (EC 233-539-7 | CAS 10222-01-2).
Below are the key details resulting from the implementing acts for each substance.
BIT (benzisothiazolinone)
The approval of BIT concerns its use in preservatives for products during storage (PT6) and in preservatives for fluids used in metalworking or cutting processes (PT13).
The approval date is set for 1 October 2026.
Among the specific conditions listed in the Annex of the implementing regulation, the most impactful ones appear to be those relating to the placing on the market of articles treated with biocidal products containing BIT for PT6 applications. The European Commission has established that:
- Articles treated with BIT must be labelled in accordance with Article 58(3)(2) of the Biocidal Products Regulation;
- Except for paints, mixtures intended for non-professional users must not contain BIT at a concentration that would lead to classification as a skin sensitiser category 1A, unless exposure can be avoided through means other than personal protective equipment (PPE);
- Paints intended for non-professional users and classified as skin sensitisers category 1A must be supplied with appropriate protective gloves and clear labelling instructions regarding their use.
DBNPA (2,2-dibromo-2-cyanoacetamide)
The approval of DBNPA concerns its use in preservatives for products during storage (PT6).
The approval date is set for 1 November 2026.
Given the endocrine-disrupting properties associated with DBNPA, the substance meets the exclusion criteria under Article 5(1)(d) of the Biocidal Products Regulation and is considered a candidate for substitution. As a result, the European Commission has established several specific and restrictive conditions. Below are the most relevant ones; for further details, it is recommended to consult the original sources.
The Commission has decided that DBNPA-based biocidal products may only be authorised for short-term industrial preservation of:
- suspended minerals and other additives used in paper production;
- paints and coatings, and raw materials used in their production;
- polymers in dispersion.
Furthermore, articles treated with DBNPA may only be placed on the market for the purpose of short-term preservation of:
- suspended minerals and other additives used in paper production;
- paints and coatings, and raw materials used in their production;
- polymers in dispersion.
Labels of such treated articles must include the information specified in Article 58(3)(2) of the Biocidal Products Regulation.
What does this mean for companies?
Companies marketing BIT-based products (under PT6 or PT13) and wishing to continue placing them on the market must apply for authorisation under the Biocidal Products Regulation by 1 October 2026.
Companies marketing DBNPA-based products (under PT6 and for the uses outlined in the implementing regulation) and intending to continue their marketing must apply for authorisation under the Biocidal Products Regulation by 1 November 2026.