Biocidal products

Biocidal products are used to combat harmful organisms by killing or repelling them.

In order that active substances may be used as or for biocidal products, they have to be «approved» or at least be notified for approval.

The following subpages contain relevant information on the various authorisation procedures.

Certain products are at the interface between two product categories and thus are always classified on a case-by-case basis and have to be reviewed as a whole (check on intended use and composition).

This guide (only available in German, French and Italian) is aimed at the cantonal enforcement authorities, businesses and users. It sets out the regulations on products treated with biocidal active substances.

Here you will find explanations of specific Swiss provisions concerning the authorisation of biocidal products. These are e.g. restrictions of certain uses that result from national regulations and therefore, based on Article 12 para. 2 Ordinance on Biocidal Product (Article 37 BPR), may deviate from the authorisation requirements that apply in other EU countries.

The Ordinance on Biocidal Products (OBP) that came into force on 1 January 2024 introduces a declaration requirement with effect from 2025 according to Art. 30c for quantities of a biocidal product placed on the market. A declaration on the quantities placed on the market in the previous year must be submitted by 31 May each year. The new obligation applies for the first time in 2025, when quantities placed on the market in 2024 must be declared. The person who is the first in the supply chain in Switzerland to place a biocidal product on the market (= first-time placing on the market) is required to submit the declaration. Those primarily affected are holders of Autorisation and manufacturers in Switzerland, as well as Swiss importers of biocidal products whose Autorisation holders are established in the EU.