Restriction of biocides

Labelling
If the requirement has been verified with labelling, check that there is a valid license for the product in question. This is checked via the following labellings: Nordic Swan Ecolabel, Möbelfakta, EU Ecolabel, GOTS.

Analytical reports
Request analytical reports for random sampling and verify that the values are below the requirement’s limit value. Also check that the analyses were carried out by an accredited laboratory. 

Self-declaration verified by an accredited verification body
Request the company's self-declaration including technical documentation of compliance verified by an accredited verification body, accredited for the task according to ISO/IEC 17029.

Label describing a product treated with biocides
Conduct random sampling of delivered products and check that there is no label describing treatment with biocidal products. Examples of what a label might look like can be found in the Swedish Chemicals Agency's factsheet "Rules for products treated with biocides". If there is such a label that demonstrates biocidal treatment, the product does not meet the requirement.

If delivered products do not have a label regarding treatment with a biocidal product, request information from the supplier regarding possible biocidal treatment of the products. The information may consist, for example, of product sheets, marketing materials or similar. If the information indicates that the product has been treated with biocides or marketed as treated with biocides, such as antibacterial or odourless, the product does not meet the requirement.

Self-declaration verified by an accredited verification body
Request the company's self-declaration including technical documentation of compliance verified by an accredited verification body, accredited for the task according to ISO/IEC 17029

A product marketed as treated with biocides, for example an antibacterial, must be labelled according to the Biocidal Products Regulation. It shall also be possible to receive information if the supplier does not market the product as having been treated with biocides, in accordance with Article 58 of the Biocidal Products Regulation. The supplier of the product shall, on request, be able to provide information on possible treatment with biocides within 45 days even if the product is not marketed as having been treated with biocides to consumers, according to the Biocidal Products Regulation. It is therefore possible to request the information from the supplier. Examples of what a label might look like can be found in the Swedish Chemicals Agency's factsheet Rules for products treated with biocides (external link).

There are currently no accredited verification bodies according to ISO/IEC 17029 (Conformity Assessment – General Principles and Requirements for Validation and Verification Bodies), as it is a relatively new standard. However, this may change, especially if the demand to verify compliance in this way increases. This possibility is therefore included in the list of possible evidence. More information about the standard can be found on Swedac's website.

The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.