Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2026 is a legal act that formalizes administrative updates to the existing Union-wide authorization for a specific family of biocidal products based on sodium hypochlorite. It primarily serves to update the list of trade names under which these products are marketed across the European Union. By replacing the previous Annex, the regulation ensures that the official summary of product characteristics remains accurate and legally compliant with EU biocidal regulations.
### Structure and Main Provisions
The act is structured into two main articles and a comprehensive Annex:
* **Article 1:** Mandates the complete replacement of Annex II of the previous Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/524 with the new, updated text provided in the Annex.
* **Article 2:** Sets the entry into force for the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal.
* **The Annex:** This is the core of the regulation. It provides a consolidated, detailed “Summary of Product Characteristics” (SPC). It categorizes the products into nine “Meta SPCs” (groups of products with similar compositions and uses), detailing their chemical composition, authorized uses (such as toilet bowl or drain disinfection), hazard classifications, and specific safety instructions.
Compared to the previous version, this regulation incorporates the administrative changes requested by the authorization holder, Reckitt Benckiser Production (Poland) Sp z o.o., specifically regarding the addition, modification, and deletion of various trade names used for these disinfectants across different EU markets.
### Important Provisions for Use
For those involved in the distribution, sale, or professional use of these products, the following sections of the Annex are critical:
* **Product Identification and Composition:** The Annex clearly defines the active substance (active chlorine released from sodium hypochlorite) and the permitted concentration ranges for each Meta SPC.
* **Authorized Uses and Target Organisms:** It specifies the exact fields of use (e.g., PT02 for disinfectants/algaecides and PT04 for food/feed areas) and the target organisms (bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses) for which the products are effective.
* **Safety and Risk Mitigation:** The document mandates specific hazard statements (e.g., H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage) and precautionary measures. It explicitly lists the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for professional users, such as chemical-resistant gloves (EN 374) and goggles (EN 16321).
* **Usage Instructions:** It provides mandatory directions, such as the prohibition of mixing these products with acids or ammonia to prevent the release of toxic chlorine gas.
* **Regulatory Compliance:** The Annex references specific EU standards and regulations, such as the maximum residue levels (MRL) for chlorate in food products (Regulation 2020/749), which must be strictly observed when using these products in food-related areas.
**:** This regulation applies to a wide range of household and professional cleaning products (such as “Harpic,” “Cillit Bang,” “Destop,” and “Dosia”) distributed across the EU. Because these products are widely available and used in various domestic and institutional settings, including those in Ukraine or by Ukrainian entities operating within the EU market, adherence to the updated safety and usage instructions is essential for health and safety compliance.
