Consumer Products (Control of Biocides) Bill [HL]

Viscount Stansgate Excerpts

2nd reading
Friday 17th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Stansgate (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett of Manor Castle, for her comprehensive introduction of the Bill, which brings forward issues that the House and the Government should take seriously. The world faces any number of threats to human health, but one of the more long-term threats we face continues to be antimicrobial resistance—AMR—which is the risk that in future bacteria will be resistant to antibiotics.

I thank the Royal Society of Biology for the briefing that it provided for this debate. I should add that I am a fellow and emphasise that the briefing does not represent the formal position of the RSB but is what you might call a rapid reaction summary based on relevant external reports from RSB member organisations and external bodies. Nevertheless, it is a very helpful briefing to have received.

We know a lot more than we used to about what is called the human microbiome, yet perhaps people do not fully understand yet how complex it is and how vital it is to our health. The microbiome is the collection of microbes in our intestines that affect our digestion, immune system, brain health and more. The Royal Society of Biology points out that “perspectives are complex” on the use of biocides. Why is that? It is because the use presents both opportunities and risks. The use case for biocides includes their contribution to the protection of public health through infection control by reducing the spread of harmful pathogens—for example, in health facilities and food production—but among the potential risks is that the use of biocides can contribute to the development of AMR and hence significant global public health risks.

Whatever one’s view on the Bill, the fact remains that biocides are found in consumer products intended for human use. These products range from soaps to mouthwashes to clothes to period products. I add in passing that some biocidal products do not list on the packet ingredients such as products containing nanosilver, about which there is growing concern, especially in relation to feminine hygiene products.

Why does any of this matter? It matters because there is evidence to suggest that the uncontrolled use of biocides may be increasing AMR. I have noticed that in the scientific literature there is great emphasis on the need for a deeper understanding of the interaction with and impact of pesticides, insecticides and biocides on the microbial communities. We do not want to find that the increased use of biocides accidentally damages the highly complex world of microorganisms. On this basis, I think there is a case that the complexity of biocides risks calls for a precautionary approach.

I want to mention one other aspect of the broader debate about AMR. I am a member of your Lordships’ Science and Technology Committee, and on Tuesday this week, we had a really interesting presentation about bacteriophages, which are viruses that can control and kill bacteria, including some of the most deadly known to humankind, such as sepsis. It may be stretching the boundaries of today’s debate to refer to phages, but I will be interested in anything that the noble Baroness says in her winding-up remarks about their relevance to the broader impact and objectives of her Bill.

To return to the Bill, I pass on to the House the advice of the Royal Society of Biology:

“There are challenges to ensuring the responsible use of biocides, especially in terms of regulation, adoption, and education, which can limit their effectiveness”.


On this basis, I hope that my noble friend the Minister, even if he is not in a position formally to convey government support for this Bill at this moment, will nevertheless take back to the relevant department some of the questions that arise. I shall briefly mention four.

First, will the Government be prepared to take a detailed look at the use of biocides in consumer products? Secondly, will the Government consider establishing their own biocidal consumer products advisory board or something similar to keep under review the scientific evidence? Thirdly, will the Government at least consent to the proposition that if there are grounds to believe that a biocidal product is deemed to present a danger, steps can be taken to ban its sale or use? Finally, will the Government undertake to report to Parliament regularly on the impact of biocides in consumer products? These seem perfectly sensible questions to ask, and whether or not this Bill makes progress I commend the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett of Manor Castle, for bringing it to the attention of the House.