DARMSTADT, GERMANY - The insect repellent active substance IR3535® will be included on a list of approved substances of the EU Biocidal Products Regulation as of November 1, 2015. The decision regarding the Union List (Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012) was made by the EU Commission in March 2014.
It applies to all customers who use the active substance from Merck in their products. The listing serves as verification for these customers that the substance they are using is approved over the long term. In order to further market their products, manufacturers of insect repellents must submit an application for approval to a member state of their choice by November 2015. For end customers, the positive list provides additional security and will lead to a market shakeout in the medium term.
“Our path to getting our substance included on the positive list was long and sometimes rocky. We submitted the dossier to the EU committee in 2006, and followed with comprehensive and thorough studies,” said Michael Weiden, Head of Functional Materials within Pigments & Cosmetics. “Today we’re all the prouder that IR3535 is one of the two insect repellent active substances, which out of the top three most effective substances have made it to the positive list. In the next step, we will support our customers to the best of our ability during their registrations,” Weiden added.
Excellent tolerability for people and the environment highly valued
IR3535® has been used worldwide in insect repellents for over 30 years. Scientists developed the insect repellent active substance inspired by nature based on the amino acid beta-alanine. IR3535® does not harm insects, but merely repels them. Its efficacy against insects has been confirmed many times over the years – with excellent safety for people and the environment at the same time. To date, no serious side effects have become known.
EU and U.S. regulations in accord
The most recent decision by the European Commission is in accord with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classification: IR3535® has been classified as a “biopesticide” in the United States since 1999; this category is considered to be of low concern. In the EU, the substance from Merck is now the only effective synthetic insect repellent to be included in the positive list and for which no age restrictions apply, meaning that it can also be used in good conscience for very small children.