On 22 Jun 2018, China NHC revealed that the final edition of the mandatory hygienic standard “Technical Requirements for the Hygienic Safety Assessment on Disinfection Products” has been submitted to the SAC (Standardization Administration) for final approval and promulgation.

On 30 May 2018, the Korean Ministry of Environments opened a 40-day public consultation on 2 draft regulations in support of the “Law 1511-Act on the Safety Management of Household Chemical Products and Biocides”. The Act was promulgated on 20 Mar 2018 and will be implemented on the 1st of Jan 2019.

On 25 Apr 2018, Shanghai NHC hosted an internal workshop to clarify common technical and regulatory issues which arose during the trial opening of the national electronic filing system of disinfection products. The new system collects safety assessment reports, product information and company details of all existing disinfection products. It was also revealed that a new inventory of antimicrobial ingredients is expected to be released this year which will define the scope of general household products and disinfection products. In future household products using biocidal ingredients and ambiguous efficacy labeling claims will no longer be able to evade filing or NHC's apprval requirements.

China NHC recently revealed that the amendment to the national standard, “GB 26369-2010 hygienic standard for quaternary ammonium disinfectants”, has been finalized and the revised edition has been submitted to the SAC (Standardization Administration) for final approval.

On 20 March 2018, South Korea officially enacted its biocide regulation, “Law 15511-Act on the Safety Management of Household Chemical Products and Biocides”. This regulation comprises 60 articles organized into 7 chapters plus 5 articles in the Annex.  The new regulation establishes a fundamental framework of safety verification on household chemical products and pre-approval of biocidal substances and products. Depending on the notification and application plan of existing biocidal substances, K-BPR will offer different grace periods for biocidal substances and products. Some deadlines will be due as early as 2020 while others have been extended until 2032. All deadlines and corresponding eligibility criteria/clauses are summarized below.

On 9 Apr 2018, the Korean Ministry of Environment (MOE) opened a10-day investigation on biocidal substances used in biocidal products. Korean manufacturers and importers of biocidal products at and above medium-size are requested to fill and submit a questionnaire by 18 April. This move is will serve as a foundation for implementation of the pre-approval system introduced by “Law 15511-Act on the safety Management of Household Chemical Products and Biocides” which begins on the 1st of Jan 2019.

On 30 Mar 2018, Korea officially enacted the “Law 15511-Act on the Safety Management of Household Chemical Products and Biocides (K-BPR)”, which will take effect on 1st Jan 2019. The regulation majorly governs the labeling, approval, authorization and post-management of household chemical products, biocidal products and biocide-treated articles.

1.[EU BPR]The First opinion on Union authorization was adopted The Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) supported applications for EU-wide access to the market  of two biocidal product families containing iodine/PVP-iodine for use in veterinary hygiene on 20 December 2017. It is the first opinion supporting applications for Union authorization which means that it is realized successfully that companies are allowed to place their biocidal products on the market throughout the entire Union with one authorization form. 2.[US EPA-FIFRA]Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act (PRIA 4) will recently be updated PRIA 3 is about to expire and PRIA 4 will enable after PRIA 3 is invalid. While PRIA 3 was originally set to expire December 8, 2017, now for the duration of that Continuing Resolution period, it has been extended until January 19, 2018. When PRIA 4 is expected to be enabled, a number of new registration types, such as disinfectant devices identification, will be added, as well as additional review costs. 3.[Chinese disinfectant products] The relevant standards for relevant Chinese disinfectant products are to be issued. NHFPC (National Health and Family Planning Commission) is working to formulate or revise relevant standards for disinfection products, including the classified catalogue of disinfection products, hygienic safety evaluation, test contents, disinfecting wipes, etc. These are expected to be announced in the first half year of 2018. 4.[EU BPR]Draft guidance for identifying endocrine disruptors was issued This draft guidance for identifying endocrine disruptors which will be used to evaluate pesticides and biocides has been developed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) with the support of the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). ECHA and EFSA are inviting interested parties to comment on the draft guidance document for the identification of endocrine disruptors under EU legisl

China NHPFC has recently solicited internal comments from industry through its provincial institutes on a draft standard of the hygienic safety assessment of the Category I and Category II disinfection products. The NHFPC plans to promulgate the standard by the end of 2017, replacing the current “Provisions for the Hygienic Safety Assessment of Disinfection Products”. A comparison between the two versions reveals elevated enforceability, more defined product classification and more scientific testing requirements in the new draft.

On 22th Mar 2016, the Australia APVMA invited public consultation on the registration of Aviator Xpro Foliar Fungicide, containing the new active ingredient bixafen in combination with prothioconazole.