Published on 22 May 2025

Type 4: In-situ system consisting of at least one precursor and/or a device to generate in-situ active substances. The precursor is not marketed for biocidal purposes.

System in which no precursor is placed on the market and/or a device is required to generate active substances in situ.

This type is intended for in-situ systems where a device is required to generate the in-situ active substance, and the precursor is not marketed for biocidal purposes or cannot be marketed as such. Unlike Types 1, 2, and 3, in this case, it is not the precursor, nor the catalyst-containing coating or mixture, but rather the in-situ generated active substance (e.g., ozone, free radicals) that constitutes the biocidal product subject to authorisation.

In the case of the in-situ system Free radicals generated in situ from ambient air and water ("Free Radicals"), the required catalyst is embedded in a solid object (e.g., ceramic or polymer). Typically, these are air conditioning systems or similar devices, equipped with an element that, through additional activation (e.g., UV light), releases free radicals.

Requirements:

  • The relevant in situ system of the biocidal product is still notified for one of the product types concerned at the time of the application;
  • A device is required for the production of the in-situ active substance. For «Free Radicals», it is generated from substances in the immediate environment (air and water) of the element, using the embedded catalyst and an activator either generated within or already present in the same device (e.g., UV light);
  • The other active substances contained or generated in situ may already be on one of the lists in accordance with Annex 1 or 2 OBP;
  • The authorisation owner is domiciled or has its registered office or branch in Switzerland. PO box addresses without a street name or similar are not permitted;
  • You require a user account to enter products in the Product register for chemicals:

Hilfsmittel:

Procedure:

Basic principles:

  • Applications should be submitted online via www.rpc.admin.ch;
  • A user account is necessary for online registration User accounts;
  • It generally takes up to 60 days to process a complete application;
  • Unlike Types 1-3, only one (1) dataset is required for the in-situ generated active substance, including any potential by-products;
  • For disinfectants and wood preservatives, proof of efficacy must be provided. Authorisation procedure AN for disinfectants   Wood preservatives. Some exceptions apply for certain alcohol-based disinfectants;
  • Product types, and methods and fields of use that were selected in the data set for the electronic notification but are not featured on the label or in the instructions, will not be processed and will be rejected;
  • Product types, and methods and fields of use that were not selected in the data set for the electronic notification are considered not approved, even if they are listed on the submitted label or instructions;
  • The application is only deemed submitted once the Notification Authority has been additionally notified by email after the data set has been submitted electronically;
  • Fees will be charged after the procedure is concluded or expires.

Entering data for the In situ generated active substance:

  • Carefully enter all the data requested;
  • Provide the composition that corresponds to the best possible scenario under stoichiometrically ideal conditions. All components (solvents, active substances, residual precursors, metabolites, impurities) must total 100.0%, or a justification must be provided;
  • If you cannot find a component in the database, stop the entry process and notify us in writing. We will endeavor to resolve the issue, update the database, or suggest an alternative.

For the In situ generated active substance, the following documents must be provided and uploaded under the ‹Documents› tab:

  • a. Technical data sheet or instructions for use;
  • b. A detailed description of the mechanism;
  • c. Swiss Safety Data Sheet or EU Safety Data Sheet with CH cover sheet (if necessary under Art. 19 ChemO), unless the active substance generated in situ is generated and used in a closed system Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ;
  • d. Proof of efficacy for disinfectants and wood preservatives (complete test reports);
  • e. Additional document Additional information (RTF, 68 kB, 30.08.2023);
  • f. Power of attorney1, either with the template or with a personalized letter;
  • g. Letter of Access, if you are referring to data from another authorisation AN or another authorisation holder that you cannot provide (e.g. efficacy tests)  Letter of Access_de_fr_it Template (PDF, 187 kB, 27.10.2022)
  • 1 A power of attorney (PoA) is required if the designated authorisation holder is represented by another person, e.g. a consultant. The power of attorney allows the Notification Authority to contact the representative if they have any questions or queries. If you do not have a representative, no PoA is necessary.

Submitting application:

Once you have entered all data in the Product Register and uploaded the necessary documents, you can submit all the data sets. Please then notify us by email (cheminfo@bag.admin.ch), including the following information

  • Subject: CPID | Trade name of the In situ generated active substance, application for AN authorisation
  • Accompanying text:
    • Application for AN authorisation
    • CPID | Trade name
    • Contact details

Fees:

  • Summary procedure for biocidal products of type 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 19): CHF 900,-
  • Summary procedure for biocidal products belonging to all other product types: CHF 525,-
  • For the in-depth review and renewed authorisation (for example products checked in the course of market inspections necessitating a correction and thus a new authorisation): CHF: 1500,-
  • For each additional query owing to missing documents: CHF 50.-
  • In individual cases (e.g. investigations involving other authorities or in-depth document or literature searches), fees may be charged according to the actual cost.

Invoicing is usually done after the procedure is completed and is carried out exclusively through the designated authorisation holder.

Validity period:

An AN Authorisation once issued is valid for 6 months after the last active substance of the biocidal product is included in the lists of Annex 1 or 2 OBP. Thereafter the product may still be placed on the market for up to 360 days and supplied to end consumers for additional 360 days (720 days in total). Professional or commercial use is not limited insofar there is not an unacceptable effect on humans, animals and the environment.

Should the product remain on the market, please take note of the Transitional regulations

If a decision is taken by the EU Commission to deny the inclusion of the active substance in Annex 1 BPR or in the Union lists of approved active substances, then the authorisation of biocidal products containing this active substance will be revoked by the Notification Authority. After the decision of the Commission, the product can be placed on the market for up to 360 days and supplied to end consumers for an additional 360 days (720 days in total). Professional or commercial use is not limited insofar there is not an unacceptable effect on humans, animals and the environment.