Biocidal Products

(asked on 14th March 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which Government department or agency is responsible for overseeing the correct use of biocides in (a) all settings and (b) hospital settings.


Answered by
Chloe Smith Portrait
Chloe Smith
This question was answered on 22nd March 2022

There is a robust and well-established regulatory framework in place in Great Britain to protect workers from health risks associated with exposure to all hazardous substances (including biocides) in the workplace through the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, which are owned by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The COSHH Regulations 2002 (as amended) apply to all work-related use of biocides including in hospitals and all other health and social care settings.

The use of biocides in Great Britain in all settings, including hospitals and other areas of social care, is regulated mainly by HSE. Local Authorities regulate their use in residential care homes.

HSE provides guidance on who regulates health and safety legislation at a particular workplace on its webpages ‘Is HSE the correct enforcing authority for you?’. Guidance is also provided on HSE’s website for users who are expected to have received appropriate information, instruction and training in the use of biocides.

The Health and Safety Executive North Ireland (HSENI) is responsible for regulating the use of biocides in Northern Ireland under the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 and can provide more detail, including how the Northern Ireland Protocol may affect their regulatory framework.

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