I am sure we have all seen and heard the marketing. Hand Sanitiser X is safer than anything else. It is totally safe. It is non-toxic. It won’t hurt the animals and is eco friendly.
Sound familiar?
All these products are trying to get a foot up in a very tough market – can’t blame them. Or can we?
Quoting the link…
Can my advertisement say my biocidal product is safe or harmless?
Well what do you know? NO!
The requirements in Article 72 of EU BPR clearly state that the advertisement claims you make must not mislead in respect of the risks of that biocidal product to humans, animals or the environment or efficacy, and specifically prohibit the use of words such as ‘harmless’ or similar terms.
Can my advertisement say my biocidal product is safe or harmless?
Well hey – getting a bit of a theme here! NO!
The requirements in Article 72 of the EU BPR clearly state that the advertisement claims you make must not mislead in respect of the risks of that biocidal product to humans, animals or the environment or efficacy, and specifically prohibit the use of words such as natural, environmentally friendly, animal friendly or any similar terms.
Is there anything else we all should know? How about this?
“any advertisement for biocidal products shall, in addition to complying with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, include the sentences ‘Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.’ The sentences shall be clearly distinguishable and legible in relation to the whole advertisement.
How many times have you read this sentence? I cannot really claim to have seen it on many products at all!
Advertisements for biocidal products shall not refer to the product in a manner which is misleading in respect of the risks from the product to human health, animal health or the environment or its efficacy. In any case, the advertising of a biocidal product shall not mention ‘low-risk biocidal product’, ‘non-toxic’, ‘harmless’, ‘natural’, ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘animal friendly’ or any similar indication.”
Really this is just rehashing the above but there really is no ambiguity.
So the next time you see someone advertising their sanitising product this way, ask yourself why they are not following these very simple rules which are so clearly laid out by the authorities. Ask yourself, If they can’t follow the very basic rules, how can you trust they aren’t getting other things wrong?
back to blog