The approval of detergents, disinfectants and post milking teat disinfectants used in food production

Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira does not handle approval of detergents, disinfectants and post milking teat disinfectants used in food production

The new Food Act (23/2006), which was enforced on 1 March 2006, does not stipulate for the National Food Agency (EVI) an obligation to approve detergents, disinfectants and post milking teat disinfectants used in food production. For this reason, EVI discontinued the approval of detergents, disinfectants and post milking teat disinfectants as of 28 February 2006, and the lists of approved products are no longer officially valid.

The disinfectants used in food production are biocides as are also the post milking teat disinfectants, which have not been classified as veterinary medicines. The disposal of biocides to the market is governed by the Biocide  Directive (98/8/EC) of the European Community. In Finland, these regulations are included in the Chemical Act and in the decrees issued by virtue of the Chemical Act. In addition to the regulations that concern biocides, the Detergent Regulation (648/2004/EC) of the European Community may also apply to disinfectants.

A transition period that ends in 2010 is currently under way for biocides. The approval procedures that concern biocides will be established in full during this transition period. However, the biocide regulations are applied immediately to products that contain effective ingredients introduced to the EU market after the year 2000, and these products cannot be disposed to the market without a regulatory approval. As far as previously marketed detergents, disinfectants and post milking teat disinfectants are concerned, their use can be continued during the transition period of the Biocide Directive without any separate regulatory approval.

The new Detergent Regulation (648/2004/EC) of the European Community, adopted in October 2005, requires operators to provide more detailed product information to consumers and to improve labelling. In addition to the labelling changes, more stringent requirements are specified for the decomposition of detergents. More information about the new Detergent Regulation is available on the Internet site of the Product Control Centre for Social Welfare and Health (www.sttv.fi -> tiedotteet 2006)

The general obligations stipulated in chemical laws with respect to e.g. bans and restrictions of chemicals, classification and labelling, safety data sheets, filing of a chemical notice and advertising apply also to biocide and detergent products.

Operators shall also ensure that the products and methods used for cleaning of surfaces that come into contact with foodstuffs do not endanger food safety. Post milking teat disinfectants may not endanger food safety or be harmful to the animals on which they are used.

Compliance with the Chemical Act is controlled by the Product Control Centre for Social Welfare and Health (STTV) www.sttv.fi and Finland's Environmental Administration (SYKE) www.syke.fi

The authorities will inform later in more detail about the obligations stipulated in chemical laws and about the time limits for enforcement of the procedures based on the Biocide Directive. Inquiries about biocide regulations can be sent by e-mail to paula.haapasolastt.fi