THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products, and in particular Article 9(1)(a) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
The United Kingdom received on 13 April 2014 an application for the approval of the active substance azoxystrobin for use in biocidal products of product-type 7, film preservatives, product-type 9, fibre, leather, rubber and polymerised materials preservatives, and product-type 10, construction material preservatives, as described in Annex V to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012.
(2)
The United Kingdom submitted the assessment reports together with its recommendations on 1 December 2016 in accordance with Article 8(1) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012.
(3)
The opinions of the European Chemicals Agency were formulated on 3 October 2017 by the Biocidal Products Committee, having regard to the conclusions of the evaluating competent authority.
(4)
According to those opinions, biocidal products of product-types 7, 9 and 10 containing azoxystrobin may be expected to satisfy the criteria of Article 19(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, provided that certain specifications and conditions concerning their use are complied with.
(5)
It is therefore appropriate to approve azoxystrobin for use in biocidal products of product-types 7, 9 and 10, subject to compliance with certain specifications and conditions.
(6)
The opinions conclude that azoxystrobin meets the criteria for being a very persistent (vP) and toxic (T) substance according to Annex XIII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Azoxystrobin therefore meets the conditions set out in point (d) of Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 and should be considered a candidate for substitution.
(7)
Pursuant to Article 10(4) of that Regulation, the approval of an active substance that is considered as a candidate for substitution should be for a period not exceeding 7 years.
(8)
Since azoxystrobin meets the criteria for being very persistent (vP) according to Annex XIII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, treated articles treated with or incorporating azoxystrobin should be appropriately labelled when placed on the market.
(9)
A reasonable period should be allowed to elapse before an active substance is approved in order to permit interested parties to take the preparatory measures necessary to meet the new requirements.
(10)
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Biocidal Products,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: